The Athlete's Lawyer

Doug Landau enjoys the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on his birthday !

When not in court helping injured athletes and recreational sports participants, Doug Landau likes to race, attend live concerts and shows with his family and friends. For the last three dozen years, the Landaus have celebrated the Fourth of July in New England. Shown here listening to the annual reading of the Declaration Of Independence on the Town Grove, Landau enjoyed a family picnic. As he had been in his public high school’s marching band and Boston University pep band, the Leesburg, Loudoun and Fairfax injury lawyer especially enjoyed the Salisbury Band, which played patriotic tunes and Sousa marches. Taking a fortnight hiatus from racing, Landau and his bride had swum the length of the local lake and back, a distance of about 2 miles, before taking part in the Independence Day festivities. This gave the Landaus a good appetitie for the hot dogs, watermelon and ice creams that followed !

Cops and Bikes: Allies, not adversaries

Were the “MS-8″ blasting through intersections and ignoring stop signs, cars and safety ? No. Such conduct would certainly be dangerous. Two of the Multiple Sclerosis (“MS”) charity bikers noted that they had slowed to about 1 mph before proceeding through a stop sign in Lovettsville, only to find a sheriff’s deputy nearby, who flagged them down. Were they given a warning ? Were they given information about rider safety or classes they could participate in ? Were they repeat violators who the authorities had stopped previously ?

“NO” to all of the above. They were stopped and given tickets for a moving violation. These citations carry not only a fine and costs, but points that will go on their driving record with the Division of Motor Vehicles (and may hurt their insurance rates and ability to get coverage as well). Following up on my July 1st post, I made a point to contact those riders whose information I had been given to see what I could do to help.

After speaking with several of the “MS-8″ Defendants while in Connecticut for my and my bride’s birthday week vacation, the decision was made to come back early and try to help these bicycle riders and appear in Court on July 7th. In addition, I offered my services as pro bono defense counsel, meaning that I would appear in Court for them on that day free of charge because I felt so strongly about the situation and believed that it could have been handled differently. I do not believe that the cyclists I have spoken with are criminals, nor do I think that the Loudoun County Authorities meant to set up a “sting operation” for charity and recreational cyclists. There are ways to promote safe riding, educate riders and enforce the law. I hope to explore those next week. Stay tuned !

The Harlem Valley Regional Trail in Millerton New York is a wonderful, relaxing bike route less than 100 miles from New York City

For this year’s trip to New England, Doug Landau was looking forward to a little “R&R” after his exhausting 24 hour Holter Monitor test.  Taking a “busman’s holiday,” Landau visited other wonderful bike paths and lawyers who are also avid bicycle riders.  A “busman’s holiday” is a vacation during which one engages in activity that is similar to one’s usual occupation or activities.  The Loudoun, Leesburg and Fairfax injury lawyer left his racing shoes and helmet at home in Virginia, and instead enjoyed scenic views on the country roads and swims in the local lake.  The Landaus will be away for the Independence Day weekend, during which they will celebrate their birthdays as well as the national holiday.

Contacted by an experienced cyclist, I went back and checked the Washington Post and other news reports of that I had been following after Loudoun County law enforcement officers charged bikers riding in the annual MS-150 charity bike ride.  While injured cyclists and charity sporting event participants have contacted us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., in the past, this case did not involve a biker’s injuries or crash with a car or truck.  Prior posts have discussed recreational athletes’ personal injury cases and sports torts.

Cyclists in Loudoun County leave a rest stop during a long weekend ride

However, the “MS-8″ were bike riders nabbed during a Sunday ride in Loudoun County.  The cyclists were charged with not stopping for stop signs during the Multiple Sclerosis charity event.  Specifically, tickets were given for failure to come to a complete stop.  A sheriff’s deputy was there to issue the citations which, if contested, will require the athletes to appear in the Loudoun County General District Court on Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 at 8:30 A.M.  Currently scheduled to be in New England at that time, if asked, I may return to Virginia early in order to help the bike riders.