# Independent medical exam (IME)

> An independent medical exam is an exam by a doctor the insurer or defense chooses. Despite the name, that doctor is not your doctor. See how IMEs work.

Canonical page: https://accidentclaimfacts.com/glossary/independent-medical-exam/  
Last reviewed: October 29, 2026 by the Accident Claim Facts editorial team  
General information, not legal advice. Talk to a licensed attorney in your state.

## Quick answer

An independent medical exam, or IME, is an exam by a doctor chosen by the insurer or the other side in a lawsuit. Despite the name, that doctor is not your doctor. They do not treat you, and their report goes to the side that hired them.

## In a car accident claim

IMEs come up in two main ways. Your own insurer may require one under your policy or state law before paying benefits such as PIP. In Florida, for example, a person covered by PIP must, at the insurer's request, submit to a mental or physical examination by a physician when their condition is material to a PIP claim. Refusing has consequences there: if the person unreasonably refuses or fails to appear, the PIP insurer is no longer liable for later PIP benefits. In a lawsuit, the defense can ask the court to order one. In federal court, a court may order a party whose mental or physical condition is in controversy to be examined, on motion for good cause, and the order must state the time, place, manner, conditions, and scope of the examination, and who will perform it. Afterward, you can ask for a copy of the examiner's written report. State courts have similar rules.

The IME report often disputes how serious an injury is, how long it should last or whether the crash caused it. Your own doctors' records and opinions are the usual answer, and the IME doctor may be questioned at a deposition. An IME doctor may also give an impairment rating that differs from your doctor's. Our guides to [whiplash](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/injuries/whiplash/) and [back and neck injuries](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/injuries/back-and-neck-injuries/) explain how these disputes play out.

## Example

> **Example:** A driver with a back injury sues the other driver. The defense asks for an exam, and a doctor it hired examines the driver and writes that the injury should have healed within weeks. The driver's own doctors disagree, and both opinions go into settlement talks and, if needed, to the jury.

## Related terms

- [Examination under oath](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/glossary/examination-under-oath/)
- [Discovery](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/glossary/discovery/)
- [Causation](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/glossary/causation/)

## FAQ

### Is an independent medical exam really independent?

Not in the usual sense. The doctor is chosen and paid by the insurer or the defense, and the report goes to them. Court orders and policies may set rules on how the exam is done.

### Can I bring someone to an independent medical exam?

It depends on the state, the court's order or the policy. Some allow an observer or a recording and others do not. A lawyer in your state can say what applies.

## Sources

- [Cornell LII, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 35](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_35) — court-ordered physical and mental examinations
- [Florida Legislature, Florida Statutes § 627.736](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/627.736) — examinations for PIP claims