Lifestyle

How to Travel in Your Car with your Dog

Published

6 years ago

July 3, 2020

Transporting a dog from one place to another can be a stressful experience, especially if you’re travelling over a very long distance. It’s undeniable that certain cars are better suited to canine transportation than others. And if your dog is considered a fully-fledged member of the family, as so many are, then their needs should be accounted for before any purchasing decision.

For those considering a new car, ZenAuto have penned an article which identifies a few important considerations. Most of what they’ve identified can be distilled into a few key categories.

Capacity

The first consideration should be space in the rear of the car. You’ll want enough of it to accommodate a dog in a fixed cage, along with all of the luggage you might want to transport. Moreover, the boot should be low enough to the ground that the dog can easily jump in and out without banging their legs on the lip.

Suspension

Cars which rattle around the moment they encounter the slightest bump are going to be stressful for your passengers – and especially for your dog, who might not be accustomed to sudden unexplained vibrations. For this reason, opting for something with decent suspension is often worthwhile.

How can I adapt an existing car?

Even if you’re travelling in a vehicle you already own, there are a few choice additions you can make to make travel safer for your dog. According to rule 57 of the highway code, dogs travelling in cars should be ‘suitably restrained’, in order that they not be flying loose around the passenger compartment in the event of a collision or sudden stop, and so that they can’t distract the person driving. This might mean installing a fixed cage in the rear of the vehicle.

You might suppose that your dog is well-trained enough that they won’t react poorly to such an event, but since there’s no way of knowing this in advance, it’s best to err on the side of caution.

One thing that your dog is likely to introduce into the boot of your car is mud, and lots of it. Go for a long walk through the countryside, and you may well end up with a dog that’s covered in mud – especially if yours is the sort of dog who loves nothing better than to splash through every mud-puddle that life throws at it. If you’d like to avoid muddy pawprints covering the inside of your nice new boot, then invest in a boot protector. These devices are often custom-made to fit the contours of a specific vehicle. When you get how, you can simply take them out of the car, wash them, and then replace them.

Lifestyle

Finding the “Best Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me:” A Complete Guide

Published

12 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Michelle Langton

Getting injured in a car accident is a stressful time. After all, you could face serious injuries that affect you for the rest of your life.

Thankfully, a good personal injury lawyer can help you navigate this complex moment in your life, but it can be easy to get overwhelmed finding the right one. If you are a resident of the Old Dominion and Googling “best injury lawyer near me Virginia,” look no further than the Richmond law firm Burnett & Williams.

One of the most common questions people ask about hiring an attorney after a car crash is “When should I contact a lawyer?” The answer is as soon as possible.

After receiving medical care, your next call should be to a personal injury attorney, as they will be able to get the ball rolling on your personal injury claim. A sense of urgency will help them fight to get you the compensation you deserve and prevent you from making any mistakes with the insurance company that will hurt you in the long term.

An important thing to keep in mind when hiring a personal injury attorney is the statute of limitations, the state-imposed deadline by which a victim has to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you could be barred from receiving any damages for the accident.

Although the statute of limitations can vary from state to state, in many states, including under Virginia law, it is two years from the date of an accident. If you delay hiring an attorney, it gives them less time to prepare your case.

Why hire a personal injury attorney?

But what does a personal injury attorney do that helps your case? The main benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney include:

Investigation: After hiring an attorney, they will begin an extensive investigation process. They will collect all records, including police reports, medical records, witness statements, and photos you took of the scene. They may also revisit the scene of the accident or consult expert witnesses, such as medical experts or accident reconstruction specialists, to build the strongest possible case.

Negotiation: Your lawyer will then get to work crafting a demand letter to the insurance company (or companies). One of the best things about hiring a personal injury attorney is that they handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf. Not only does this mean that you are less likely to fall victim to the insurance adjusters’ pressuring tactics, but it also allows you to focus more on what matters most: your recovery.

Trial representation: While many personal injury cases end in settlements, sometimes both sides cannot come to an agreement for fair compensation. In these cases, your claim will proceed to trial, where it will be heard by a judge and/or jury. When a personal injury case goes to court, it is important to have a skilled trial lawyer on your side who is willing and able to argue your case.

How to determine which Virginia personal injury lawyer is best for your Virginia injury claim

However, it can be difficult to determine which personal injury attorney to hire. There are tons of radio ads, billboards, and Google search results that all claim to be the “best injury lawyer near me,” so how do you know which ones actually are the best? Attorney C. James Williams III, principal at Burnett & Williams, guides us through what injury victims should look for when hiring an attorney.

One of the first things to look for when hiring a personal injury attorney is their fee structure. The best personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they are paid a percentage of the final settlement or award. These are the “we don’t get paid unless you win” guarantees.

While other specialties, such as criminal law, operate on an hourly basis, the status quo for personal injury law is a contingency fee. “Be suspicious of anyone who asks for an upfront retainer or hourly rate for your personal injury case, as this could imply that they don’t think they can win your case,” Williams advises.

It is also important to look for a law firm with a specialty area that correlates with your specific accident. “Not every lawyer is trained and equipped to handle every personal injury case,” explains Williams. “For example, truck accidents involve additional complex laws beyond the typical auto accident case. So do motorcycle accidents. An attorney who has only ever handled standard car accident claims might not be the right fit to handle one of these cases.”

But perhaps the single biggest factor to consider when choosing the best injury lawyer near you is their track record. “More often than not, experienced personal injury attorneys’ results should be able to speak for themselves,” says Williams.

If a law firm has good reviews online and has a history of winning big settlements and jury awards, chances are they are a good choice to hire. “And as a bonus, the better the reputation, the more leverage you get in the negotiation process,” Williams adds. “Insurance companies are often scared to go to trial against a lawyer they think they might lose to.”

If you are looking for the best Virginia personal injury lawyers, look no further than the skilled and experienced attorneys at Burnett & Williams. “Contact us today for a free consultation,” concludes Williams. “We will review your case and determine if we can help get you the compensation you deserve.”