Lifestyle

Plan Now for Your Senior Lifestyle

Published

5 years ago

January 19, 2021

In the past, aging meant retiring from your job, slowing down and perhaps spending your remaining days playing with your grandchildren. Now aging looks very different, and many people may continue working because they choose to, or go on to lead active lives even in retirement, traveling, volunteering and participating in senior sporting events. If you envision this for yourself, there are things you can do now to lay the groundwork.

Save for Retirement

You should save as much as you can toward retirement. This should include maxing out your workplace retirement fund, and you may want to look into other investments as well. Even if you plan to continue working into your 70s, you don’t want to have to do so as a matter of financial necessity. Thinking now about the kind of lifestyle you plan to lead as you get older will help you better plan how much money you will need.

Install a Home Elevator

It might sound like a big step, and with any luck you’ll be sprinting up steps well into old age. However, it is not unusual for even healthy seniors to struggle with knee problems or other mobility issues, even if only temporarily. Having an elevator can help ensure your independence and make it easier to manage if you have a short- or long-term period of needing to use a wheelchair, crutches or a cane to get around. The process of installing residential elevators that improve your lifestyle only takes a day, and it can be done in many different types of homes.

Stay Mentally and Physically Active

If you don’t want to slow down, you don’t have to. Staying both mentally and physically engaged will help you as you age. This could be the chance to take classes, pursue hobbies or nurture talents you never had time for when you were working and raising a family. Grandma Moses did not even begin painting until she was in her 70s, and there are still debut novelists who are 60 and older. Some people might feel negatively about aging, but keep in mind that while you might not have the reflexes or the physical strength that you did in your youth, other qualities replace this, including a lifetime of valuable experience and a mature understanding of the world.

Make Connections

Not everyone is an extrovert, but humans are social animals, and having at least a few social connections is important, including as you age. Ideally, you can make these connections with people of different ages. Get involved in your community and activities that you love. This can be particularly helpful once you retire since some people may feel lost and lose their sense of belonging when they are not going to work every day. If you largely prefer the company of animals or plants to people, check out opportunities at your local dog or cat rescue, which often need people who can foster pets for adoption, or contact your local botanical garden to see if they need volunteers.

Lifestyle

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

Published

11 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.”