The Athlete's Lawyer

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.

Speeding on the rolling roads of Fauquier County, specifically Routes 29 and 211 will usually get you an “invitation” to the Court in Madison, Virginia.  However, over 200 multisport athletes did just that – riding their bikes up and down the hilly roads around Warrenton.

Virginia Triathlon Series Warrenton Sprint Triathlon prize winner Landau

Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau entered the VTS Warrenton race as a final “tune up” before next week’s USAT National Sprint Championships.  After getting passed by several competitors in the pool, ABRAMS LANDAU‘s Landau managed to catch many cyclists on the hilly bike course.  Once on the run, he again passed runners on the hilly, “mobius strip” course.  The initial results had Landau finishing in the top 5% and second in his age group.  The Reston Herndon area injury lawyer won the runner up Masters Award.  It was Landau’s first race with his Nimble racing wheels and he hopes to “taper” and reduce the volume and intensity of his training in order to be “jumping out of his Speedo” at the National Championship and World Championship qualifier.

After a mountain bike crash, the pain, bruising and “road rash” may take several days to peak.  Taking some time off and using ice, heat, massage and gentle stretching are all good ideas.  However, there are some tough multisport athletes who do not let a bicycle accident slow them down.

Despite road rash, cuts and other injuries, Traithlete John Brannock finished the Warrenton Sprint Triathlon with a smile

John Brannock, a former training partner and team mate, came in this weekend  on a business trip.  As is Doug Landau’s habit, the Herndon trial lawyer convinced his friend to join him for the first annual Warrenton Sprint Triathlon on Sunday.  Landau borrowed a bike, brought extra helmets and other safety gear, and loaded the mini van so that they could car pool to the pool.  The 300 yard indoor pool swim, 11.8 mile hilly bike ride and the 5 km. up and down run course would take less than 2 hours.  However, Brannock had been in a mountain bike accident on Friday, and his bruises were just coming into their full black and blue color !  The new Warrenton Aquatics Center (“WAC”)  was a clean, state of the art facility for this new Virginia Triathlon Series event in Fauquier County.  Located just passed the exit for “Old Town” Warrenton and the Court House area where the ABRAMS LANDAU Law firm has represented injured workers, car crash survivors and the families of brain injured victims, the bike course takes races on Route 29/211 and the run course is a very challenging two loops.  It was only after the race that Brannock showed Lawyer Landau his cuts, bruises and swelling !  Brannock raced on a borrowed bike, ran with the wrong shoes and was limited by his battered joints.  Nevertheless, despite these handicaps, and the 2 hours time differential coming from his home in Colorado, John had a strong showing and even won a prize for having come to Fauquier County from the mid-west !  Congratulations John Brannock !

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 !”

Support the work of the Brain Injury Services by running in one of the several races at George Mason University’s beautiful Fairfax Virginia campus September 26th.  Don’t wait any longer.  Sign up today to join us at the 7th Annual Kit Callahan’s Miracle Mile. There are only 10 days left and you don’t want to miss out on one of the premier events in Northern Virginia.  This year’s event has a new 10K course, a new 2 mile event and a new “little tykes” fun run.  Click here to register today!

Sunday, September 26, 2010 – Order of events

7:30 AM to 9:00 AM     Pre and Day of Registration Check in
8:30 AM to 9:00 AM     Opening Ceremony
9:00 AM    Kick-off 10K Run/Walk and 2 Mile Run/Walk
9:15 AM    Kick-off Survivor’s Circle of Hope and Kids Fun Run
10:00 AM    Kick-off “Little Tykes” Fun Run
10:45 AM    Award Ceremony

The Brain Injury Awareness Fair will be open from 9 am to noon.  Please join us at the education fair and enjoy the following activities:  Brain Injury Services Education Booth, Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Booth, Face Painting by Dee Vinchey and Friends, Dr. Aravich Brain Education, Bike Helmet Giveaway (while supplies last), Coloring Station, Kids Passport, Buy an Angel Booth, Fire Truck, Massage Booth by AKS Massage School, Washington Business Journal Booth and Light Refreshments. ABRAMS LANDAU. Ltd. is once again a sponsor.  For more information please visit www.kitsmiraclemile.org

When a New York cyclist got “doored” by a careless motorist, his arm was so badly broken, that the surgeon had to put the shattered pieces together with 2 plates, 13 screws and wire.  Without any warning, the driver opened the door into the biker’s path, putting the bike commuter into the hospital for three nights.  The injured biker contacted bike accident lawyer Doug Landau to find out how best to proceed, since he had over $27,215 in medical bills and the comminuted fracture in his upper arm did not properly knit.  The bicycle commuter told the ABRAMS LANDAU trial lawyer that rarely a day goes by that his arm isn’t sore, that he’s not reminded of the injury.  He notices increased soreness in cold and damp weather and he is concerned with the possibility of early-onset arthritis resulting from the injury.

• The driver’s first words were, “Didn’t you see my door open?”
  The injured biker’s first words were, “I have a broken arm.”

After a number of suggestions by bicycle crash lawyer Doug Landau and investigation of additional facts, this 2005 bike accident case settled for $126,000 and the injured cyclist, who is a professional musician, was able to avoid the expense, additional time loss and unpredictability of trial.  Because there are strict time limits for claims against truck and car drivers who “door” cyclists or cause other bicycle related accidents, if you or someone you know has been injured by someone else’s negligence or fault, e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. (703-796-9555) at once.

Bicycling East on the W&OD Trail by the dog kennel, ABRAMS LANDAU biker lawyer Doug Landau almost ran over this poisonous copperhead snake !

Here is the photo showing where I saw the snake during the Reston century bike ride.  Yesterday I posted a “close up” of this deadly W&OD Trail user. Because I want all cyclists to return home safely, I looked about for information on how best to protect yourself.  Here are some tips from the “Bicycling Australia” where they have LOTS of poisonous snakes !) to help you manage the “risks of the road:”

• Always ride with others. It makes sense in case of any accident or mechanical failure, not just in case of snakebite. If you are close to town, you can rely on a mobile phone, the ambulance service or a nearby car. In more remote riding areas you need to be self-sufficient. Most first aid kits contain a large bandage that may be very useful if you are unlucky enough to get bitten. The prime rule is to remain as calm as possible and do not go seeking medical attention, rather bring help to you. To panic and ride in search of help will distribute the venom, if any, through your system. Sitting calmly by the trail waiting for assistance is important.
• Your riding companion may have to go and seek help for you. Use the bandage to put pressure over the wound. Not too tightly and definitely not a tourniquet, wrap over the bite and then along the limb (assuming it was an arm or leg that got attacked). On the torso use the bandage to apply pressure over the wound. Venom is distributed through the slow moving lymphatic system (not the speedy arterial system) so if you don’t move a lot, the toxins won’t either. For more information on treatment go to www.stjohn.org.au or, more appropriately, take a first aid course to get up to speed on how to best manage incidents such as this.
• If at all possible, identify the type of snake that did the damage. Note colour, size, shape of head and so on. Take a photo of it with your digital phone if you can but do not try to capture the snake or more biting will ensue! Awareness of your surroundings and knowing what to do should snakebite happen are really all the properly prepared cyclist need consider.

Poisonous snakes are a danger to cyclists. Bicycle riders, joggers, roller bladers and skaters need to be aware of dangerous animals in their path

While riding in the Reston Century last Sunday, I almost ran over a snake.  Not just any snake, but a poisonous copperhead that was sunning itself in the middle of the path !  Luckily, I avoided contact with the venomous reptile, but this is not the first time I have seen a large snake on the W&OD Trail in Loudoun County.  Another snake incident nearly caused me to swerve and crash.  And, a black snake my wife ran over nearly bit me as I followed her near the Luck quarry ! While these snakes can be quite beautiful, it is best to give them a wide berth and not incite an attack that could prove fatal.

The Reston Runners website also reports “An unusually high number of copperhead snakes have recently been reported in Fairfax County. Copperheads are venomous snakes that are found here and throughout Virginia.”  In tomorrow’s post, I will share some excellent tips from an Australian cycling site.  The Aussies have to contend with a number of the most dangerous poisonous snakes on the planet, so their bikers and runners have a lot of good safety information to share with athletes here in America.

How biker friendly are the streets ?

In Washington, bikers have found the city streets of Seattle to be more dangerous than friendly.  Six bicyclists have filed a lawsuit against the city of Seattle over safety hazards concerning the South Lake Union Streetcar tracks.  All six of the plaintiffs have suffered serious injuries as a result of their bike tires becoming caught in the tracks.  This happened as a result of the width of the streetcar tracks being wider than the bicycle tires, which caused the tires to catch and the cyclists to crash.  As in the instance of the six plaintiffs, this can result in serious and sometimes catastrophic injuries.  The lawsuit claims that the city was aware of the potential dangers to bicyclists, but failed to post warning signs or add any additional safety measures.  The lawsuit is seeking general damages, compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and attorneys’ fees.  The lesson to be learned is that “biker friendly” does not always mean “biker safe.”

Biker and trial lawyer Doug Landau and cycling friends at a Loudoun County rest stop in Hamilton, during the Reston Century, where well-marked sinkholes and road defects made for a safe ride.

At ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., we recommend that if you come upon grooves, street car or trolley tracks that are parallel to your direction of travel, avoid getting too close, as narrow road bike wheels can get entrapped and stuck.   We have represented injured bikers who have been thrown from their bicycles due to roadway defects and dangerous street conditions.  Move to a different street, or even walk your bike rather than risking damaging your bike and injury to yourself.

ABRAMS LANDAU lawyer Doug Landau donated a Wii system to the Brain Injury Services and volunteered at last year's Kit Callahan's Miracle Mile running races

Get ready for the 7th Annual Kit Callahan’s Miracle Mile, 10K, 2 Miler, Kid’s Fun Run and a Brain Injury Awareness Fair.  Join us on Sunday, September 26, 2010 at George Mason University for a great day of fun and learning for the whole family.  All activities at the Fair are FREE and Kid’s Under 10 Run/Walk for FREE.  You can not ask for a better family outing then this event.  Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau has been a volunteer and sponsor of this wonderful event, and you may have seen the Herndon brain injury lawyer passing out flyers at local races for these running races.

Brain Injury Services Fair Activities will include:

• Face Painting by DeeVinchey and Friends
• Fire Truck
• Dr. Aravich and his Brains
• Coloring Station
• Bike Helmet Giveaway (while supplies last)
• Brain Injury 101 Education
• Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Education Booth
• and much, much more!!

Great Family Fun Activity
From Brain Injury Services!
and……it won’t break your bank!

For more information or to register today please visit Kits Miracle Mile website