The trucking industry faces some of the most complex and high-exposure litigation in the defense arena. When it comes to injury claims and long-term care projections, these cases often hinge on the ability to secure highly qualified and credible medical experts who can provide independent medical opinions and clear testimony regarding the nature and implications of plaintiff injuries.
At IMS Legal Strategies, we have decades of experience supporting defense teams with the medical expertise and strategic resources needed to navigate trucking injury litigation. This example—one of more than 20,000 matters supported by our dedicated medical expert witness services division—illustrates how our team collaborated with defense counsel to deliver objective medical expertise, reduce financial risk, and contribute to a favorable resolution in a personal injury case involving neurological issues.
The Case Challenge
A national trucking company faced a personal injury claim following a rear-end collision involving an 18-wheeler. The plaintiff was a front-seat passenger in a vehicle when it was struck from behind. The impact with the 18-wheeler caused the passenger vehicle to veer into another lane and collide with a third unit. The plaintiff was transported to a medical facility with complaints of neck and back pain, later reporting headaches, cervical spine pain, thoracic pain, and lumbar spine pain.
The plaintiff’s medical records revealed a longstanding history of migraines and headaches. Among other key tasks, the defense team needed to evaluate the neurological complaints and determine whether they were causally related to the accident or preexisting.
The Expert Solution
IMS has carefully recruited and vetted more than 700 medical expert witnesses covering over 220 areas of clinical focus, including several neurological specialties. Our services are well-suited to address the obstacles faced by trucking defense teams, including over-reliance on the same experts, difficulty in finding specialized expertise, and the need to spend valuable time on administrative tasks related to expert witnesses. Clients can select the expert whose qualifications are most aligned with their case and receive professional case management throughout the entire engagement.
In this specific trucking defense case, IMS gave our client quick access to a board-certified neurologist with extensive experience in forensic evaluations. The expert provided critical insights by:
- Conducting a comprehensive review of medical records, imaging, and therapy notes
- Assessing the plaintiff’s history of migraines to differentiate preexisting conditions from post-accident complaints
- Providing a detailed report clarifying the neurological impact of the collision
- Delivering deposition testimony on causation
The Outcome
The case concluded with a favorable settlement for our client, significantly reducing potential financial exposure for the trucking company. The neurologist’s expert analysis was instrumental in distinguishing preexisting conditions from accident-related injuries, which helped the defense team challenge inflated claims and avoid a prolonged trial.
Without this independent medical expert opinion, the plaintiff’s symptoms could have been fully attributed to the collision, potentially leading to a much higher settlement or jury award. The expert’s clear report on causation provided the defense with a credible foundation to negotiate from a position of strength, ultimately saving time, resources, and reputational risk.
Trusted Expert Witnesses for Trucking Defense Cases
IMS has supported trucking defense litigation for decades, helping attorneys and insurers confidently position complex injury disputes for the best outcome. With a multi-state network of board-certified medical experts in neurology, orthopedics, pain management, life care planning, and 200+ additional clinical specialties and subspecialties, IMS ensures defense teams have access to the right expert at the right time.
If your case requires a medical records review (with an independent medical examination if needed), causation analysis, or a life care plan rebuttal, reach out to learn how IMS can deliver credible medical expertise to strengthen your strategy.
