The Athlete's Lawyer

Virginia bikers sent me word of a German biker struck by a truck and now on life support at Carillion hospital in Roanoke.  This brought back sad memories of being called to INOVA Fairfax Hospital after my clients, who were also in the United States for bike touring, were struck on Route 55 in Fauquier County, outside of Warrenton.  In fact, I will be trying a case next month in a Court outside of Richmond, Virginia, for a German exchange student who was injured in a Chesterfield County car crash.

As I wrote on the Virginia Bicycling Federation site:

Our hearts go out to this German biker and his family. Having represented catastrophically injured German bikers, it is very important that there be a stenographer present for the December 6th Court case. Virginia General District Courts are “Courts NOT of Read the rest of this entry »

Trampoline accidents and injuries can be catastrophic due to the impact and damage to the spinal cords and heads of victims young and old.  The issues of adequate spotters, padding and instruction are usually at the forefront of any investigation into a trampoline accident.  However, when the trampoline itself is defective, catastrophic injury can result regardless of the number of spotters, pads and training sessions.  Herndon Virginia sports injury lawyer Doug Landau of Abrams Landau, Ltd. examined the dangers of such equipment over 25 years ago in his article for the Practicing Law Institute, “…With the Greatest of Ease – Gymnastic Products Liability”  (Sports & Recreational Equipment, 1983).  One of the reasons Abrams Landau supports the distribution of free bicycle helmets for children is to put safe, non-defective sports equipment in play so no one gets hurt.

A California sporting goods company has recently announced a recall 160,000 sporting trampolines over the risk of the structures breaking.  Bravo Sports announced the recall in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission last week, saying “the trampolines, if improperly assembled, can result in weak support, posing the risk of the top rails or legs bending or breaking during normal use.”  The trampolines were imported from China Read the rest of this entry »

A lovely little bridge off of a dirt road in Loudoun County - perfect for hybrid, mountain, knobby and "fat tire" bikes !

Owning a mountain bike does not mean you have to go tearing down mountains, slaloming between trees, jumping roots and avoiding protruding rocks.  Bike injury lawyer Doug Landau uses his off road bike for commuting to work in good weather, pulling buggers, “trail-a-bikes” and touring in the off season.  Mrs. Landau likes her mountain bike for training rides as it enables her to sit upright, without the strain on her lumbar spine, and to be able to see further down the road.  The Landau’s mountain bikes are also less likely to get flats, are easier to adjust to other riders, and can carry heavy panniers and gear.  Other bikers like the safety and stability of a mountain bike.  The Abrams Landau bike crash lawyer also likes the “Granny Gear” when ascending steep inclines in Loudoun County.  There are several Reston and Herndon area cyclists who ride with the Reston Bike Club on hybrid and mountain bikes, and they keep up, traverse rough road and even hop the curb now and then !  Landau puts his Speedplay peddles on his off road bike so that he can use his biking shoes to keep up and has the bell for safety on his handlebars when approaching cyclists, runners and other recreational users of the W&OD and other Northern Virginia Trails, bike paths and roads.

Maryland law defines aggressive driving as committing at the same time or during a continuous driving period, three or more of the following offenses:

• traffic signal violation
• improper passing
• failure to drive in a single or proper lane
• following too closely
• failure to stop/yield right of way
• exceeding the speed limit

To Report an Aggressive Driving Incident that Occurred in Maryland you have two options. You can Read the rest of this entry »

While many races start “in water,” there are times and courses where that is not possible.  In a race this summer where very low tides resulted in a several hundred meter sprint from the show to water deep enough to swim, several competitors suffered lacerations from shells below the surface.  One triathlete contacted ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. because he sustained a severe injury to the bottom of his foot with what appears to be permanent residual nerve damage.

Sports injury lawyer Doug Landau consulted with this fellow athlete.  Advising that a liability case would be difficult, and that the Release signed by all competitors would be used to show that the competitor assumed the risks of injury from such a sports event, Landau suggested that the injured athlete look into medical coverage that may be available for the event.  Just because an athlete is injured during competition does not mean that Read the rest of this entry »

Bike and car crashes at the Mount Vernon, W&OD, Four Mile Run and other local Trails suggest that area drivers are not looking out for Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia cyclists, runners, skaters and walkers

The recent  in Alexandria underscores the importance of drivers looking BOTH ways when crossing DC area cycling, skating and running paths.  Too often motorists are looking to see vehicular traffic approaching in whatever direction is closest to their car or truck.  Northern Virginia drivers tend to pull out to the street without regard for cyclists or joggers.  The “Share the Road” goal is observed more in the breach Read the rest of this entry »

Landau with a new friend and fellow triathlete (and her cracked aero helmet)

Even the best prepared athletes find that their safety and injury prevention equipment is not “race ready.”  It is a terrible feeling to train for months, travel hundreds of miles and to arrive at the race venue only to find that a vital piece of safety gear is broken or missing.  Doug Landau has had goggles break, wetsuits rip and bicycles flat at major sports competitions, so he knows what it feels like to be physical ready, but unable to compete.

Last Friday, after the Herndon Reston sports injury lawyer picked up his bike and triathlon racing gear from Velocity Pro bicycle shop, he saw that another competitor had a cracked bicycle helmet.  Her damaged “aero” bike helmet would never pass the USAT officials’ inspection and she would not be permitted to race with such unsafe equipment, as her head gear would not protect her skull from impact and potentially severe brain injury.

As he has done before, Landau offered her a helmet, since he often travels with spare safety equipment.  The West Coast Athlete graciously accepted lawyer Landau’s offer, as was back in the race.  The next day her sister returned the Virginia bike safety lawyer’s helmet, and they cheered the other bicycle racers participating in the US National Triathlon Championships.  If you have room in your bike travel case, car, luggage, etc., consider bringing extra safety equipment.  You too may be alb to help out a fellow athlete and prevent unnecessary injury or disability.

Biker AND bicycle safety lawyer Doug Landau in Old Town Alexandria (VA)

Bike racks do not have to be ugly metal masses in our city centers.  Rather, the places to secure one’s bicycle can be artistic, and even be incorporated into the overall look of the town.  While arguing Pre- Trial motions at the Courthouse in Old Town Alexandria, bike crash injury lawyer Doug Landau noticed the bike racks along King Street in front of the Courthouse Plaza – the original home of ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd.  Art and function in the same unit !  Landau salutes the Alexandria City planners, architects and artists.

Recumbent bikes can be good for those with back injuries or spine issues

Hampered by back injuries, lumbar pain or degenerative disc disease, many avid bikers have left the sport because of the discomfort caused by road bikes and drop style handlebars.  However, a solution may be to change the riding style by chaining the bicycle, according to bike injury lawyer Doug Landau.  Taking the pressure off the spine may be “just what the doctor ordered” notes the former Applied Anatomy and Physiology grad student and member of the American College of Sports Medicine.

“Anyone who has spent any time on the W&OD, Mount Vernon, Four Mile Run or other Northern Virginia bike trail has seen all manner of recumbent and “non-traditional” bikes,”  adds the back and spine injury lawyer.  “One client was crushed by a negligent motorist, and was up and riding within days.  This bike crash injury victim adapted a recumbent bike to his needs, complete with a holder for his cane and a bag for his supplies.  By continuing to exercise in a non-impact sport, this Reston area personal injury plaintiff was able to hasten his physical recovery from his crash injuries.” If you are interested in Recumbent Bicycles, check out “Recumbent & Tandem Rider” magazine.

If you, or someone you know, has back pain or spine issues that is forcing them off the bike, consult with a sports medicine doctor to see if recumbent cycling is an appropriate alternate form of exercise.  Injured athletes’ lawyer Doug Landau of ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. incorporates stationary recumbent cycling in his training program year round, and finds it is an excellent way to read through his “third class mail, journals, magazines and watch sports on television !”

Doug Landau at the 20 mile marker of the W&OD Trail by the caboose in Herndon, Virginia, about 100 yards from the ABRAMS LANDAU buildings

In a word, “yes.”  Not including my own crashes while commuting, racing or just riding, I recently caused another rider to fall.  While riding with the Reston Bike Club, I got carried away talking to a new acquaintance.  I caused another rider to go off the the lip of the road – there was no shoulder, as it was the new construction near Shaker Woods in Herndon, Virginia.  Luckily the young cyclist, a Pharmacist with Prosperity Pharmacy suffered some scrapes and road rash but no more serious injury and is back riding (I later saw her again at the Reston Century !).  I have also since ridden with the Reston Bike Club “4s” as well as the 3s and 2s.  Riding with the Reston riders is fun, great exercise and I believe safer than riding alone sometimes.  I usually carry a small first aid kit as well as a phone, just in case another rider has a fall.  Hopefully, the rest of my 2010 bike riding season will be safe and uneventful…