Auto Insurance Claims: rear end collision, aqua therapy, neck shoulders

Question
I was stopped with my foot on the brake waiting to turn (turn signal on) when I was rear ended by someone going 35mph.  Of course he was given a ticket.  At first I was just worried about exacerbating a previous horseback riding accident from 5 months earlier.  In that accident I injured my spine and c5-6 - was in rehab 3-4 weeks before being released to home and out patient pt and ot.  Now this.  Ended up with stiff neck, shoulders and upper back.  But this week my lower back froze up and spasm-ed.  I now can't do my regular pt and am doing aqua therapy and am scheduled for neuro therapy on my hip and lower back.  I also have  been scheduled for more x-rays and an mri.  The insurance company wants to meet with me to discuss my injuries. Before the latest problems with my back I met with a lawyer for the free consult and was told not to meet with the insurance company.  I told the insurance company what he said and they moved my claim over to the adjuster that deals with  lawyers.  I am not even sure I am going to use the lawyer.  Should I meet with the insurance company.  Also I am very worried about any future problems with my improvement from my other accident or what could develop from the car accident as it took 2 weeks after the accident before my back froze up.  What should I do?  BTW I live in Idaho where the accident occurred and no one was at fault in my horseback riding accident The horse accident has cost me $180,000 so far and I still don't walk right or have complete use of my hand so you can imagine my fear of being stuck with  bills and physical damage in the future from the auto accident.  How do I protect myself? Thanks.

Answer
Hi Mary,

In this situation you should absolutely hire an attorney. The insurance company will act very concerned and seem like they want to help, but it is their job to make you think they are trying to help when they are really waiting to stab you in the back. They will twist every word you say to them to try to minimize your claim. They will use your prior injury to minimize your claim. They will use the fact that it is Thursday to minimize your claim. I hope you are getting a clear picture of what I am trying to say.

You should hire an attorney today. To not wait another minute or it will be at your own peril. The only way to protect your rights is to not say anything to the insurance company except that they need to speak to your attorney.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh