If you’ve been in a serious car accident, there’s a good chance you’ll be asked to attend what’s called an independent medical evaluation (IME). At first, this can feel confusing: “Why do I need another exam? Didn’t my doctor already send in all the paperwork? And why is this important?”
Likely, your insurance company or a lawyer representing either side in the case has requested an independent examiner to evaluate your condition and offer an expert second opinion. If your lawyer requested it, they want to prove your disabilities. If it is your insurance company, it is to determine whether your condition is as serious as you say. One or more healthcare professionals might assess you. But this is not the normal physician–patient relationship you enjoy with your family doctor.
The examiner will not provide you with any medical treatment afterward. You might feel that your “IME destiny” is already sealed by some examiner you’ve never met—someone with fixed opinions you can’t possibly influence. But that’s not entirely true. How you prepare and how you conduct yourself during the evaluation can make a real difference.
How to Avoid Two of the Biggest Mistakes
As a rehabilitation physician (physiatrist) who has performed hundreds of independent medical evaluations for both lawyers and insurance companies, I’ve seen genuinely injured people receive unfair reports—not because they weren’t truly disabled, but because they came in unprepared or behaved in ways that raised doubts. The good news is that you can avoid these pitfalls. In my booklet, 8 Secrets to a Better Independent Medical Evaluation, I go into detail about strategies that can help. But here are two of the biggest mistakes I see, and how you can avoid them:
Mistake #1: Disorganization
Many people arrive at their IME completely unprepared. Some show up late, go to the wrong office, or forget to bring basic information like their medication list. Others stumble when asked simple questions such as, “Where did the accident occur?” or “What hospital or walk-in clinic did you go to?”
Yes, the examiner will usually have some of your medical records. But those records may be incomplete or inaccurate. By coming prepared—with a clear list of your accident details, injuries, past medical history, medications, employment history, and treatment timeline—you make the process smoother and increase the likelihood of an accurate report.
And if you’re asked a question you don’t know, don’t guess. Simply say, “I don’t remember” or “I’m not sure.” If you’ve had a brain injury and struggle with memory or concentration, ask if a trusted family member or friend can accompany you. Their input can help fill in the gaps and provide the examiner with a fuller picture, especially if you lack some insight into your condition.
Mistake #2: Exaggeration
Some crash survivors think they need to exaggerate their pain or limitations to be believed. In fact, the opposite is true. Examiners have often conducted hundreds, even thousands, of these assessments and will realize that your groans or howls are fake or exaggerated if you are not suffering from intense pain. They will be very suspicious if you rate your current pain 10/10 when you appear to be comfortable and carrying on a normal conversation. They are trained to spot inconsistencies and will note phrases in their report like “cannot rule out malingering” (faking it), or “symptom magnification present” or “inconsistencies noted throughout assessment” if they suspect exaggeration. That kind of language can seriously damage your credibility.
The best approach is simple: be honest. If something doesn’t hurt, say so. This is not the time to try out your acting talents. If a movement does hurt, describe it clearly: “That hurts a little in my neck when you do that,” or “That really hurts my low back,” or “That causes numbness in my arm.” If you are asked to move a painful joint, do so until you cannot go any further or it is just too painful to do more. Always give your best effort. Exaggerating or faking symptoms will almost always backfire.
The Bottom Line
Your IME matters—it can mean the difference between full compensation and no compensation at all. While you can’t control every factor, you can control your preparation and your honesty. Show up on time, organized, and ready to answer questions truthfully and give a good effort on the examination. It may sound simple, but these two steps alone can significantly improve your chances of receiving a fair evaluation.
If you have followed these and other expert tips, whatever the outcome may be, you can be satisfied knowing that you did your best.
For more information on the Better IME and the book, “8 Secrets to a Better Independent Medical Examination, please visit: betterime.com.
Submitted by: Brad Burke, MD
This article is also featured in our 2025 Fall Issue of Sharing our Recovery.
(Material adapted from the booklet, 8 Secrets to a Better Independent Medical Evaluation.” © 2017 by The Reader’s Ace, LLC)
