TheAthletesLawyer

Ronald McDonald, Tim Hamon Race Director Tom Cook and Broadlands injury lawyer Doug Landau at the Van Metre 8km

Sunshine, a rolling course and a stiff breeze greeted runners at the annual Van Metre 8km road race today.  Broadlands and Ashburn area injury lawyer Doug Landau took ran despite calf pain, as a hard “brick” workout was planned in advance of the Virginia Duathlon later this month.  Seeing lots of friends and clients, Landau managed to average 7:05 per mile pace for the nearly 5 mile course.  For a complete race report and a picture of Lawyer Landau “in action,” go to RunWashington

The Loudoun personal injury trial lawyer then did a short cool down before driving to Herndon for a CompuTrainer cycling class at HPC.  After biking indoors, Landau completed the “brick” by running several more miles on the W&OD Trail horse cinder path in Herndon.  After this grueling athletic effort, the experienced sports injury attorney showered at the Landau law Shop, got the weekend’s mail and then had a large lunch with his son, who was in town from Virginia Tech for another medical school interview.

Leesburg and Hamilton area lawyer Landau has participated in the Van Metre race several times.  The well run race raises funds for Children’s National Medical Center pediatric hospital.  Some of ABRAMS LANDAU’s youngest clients have received excellent trauma care at Childrens National, which  ranks among the best pediatric hospitals Read the rest of this entry »

Loudoun, Fairfax and Leesburg bike injury lawyer Doug Landau at the Herndon Bicycle festival2 blocks from the Landau Law Shop on the corner of Station and Center Streets

Having had too many “close calls” with cars, trucks and vans that do not keep a safe following or passing distance, I was hopeful that the major piece of legislation supported by cyclists in this year’s Virginia legislative session was the bill that would require motorists to allow three feet when passing bicyclists.  This proposed legislation was spurred by a desire to bring the Code of Virginia in line with contemporary safe separation practices.  In addition, cycling advocacy groups like the Virginia Bicycling Federation had hoped to make some progress in addressing incidents in recent years where Virginia’s criminal justice system turned its back on bikers.  Recent posts about bicycle riders who have been struck, ridden off the road, injured and knocked unconscious and then ticketed, charged and prosecuted suggest that cyclists in the Commonwealth are at risk on the roads, the courts AND the legislature.  As stated in the Virginia Bike Organization’s web site, “If you think that running over a bicyclist or pedestrian is illegal in Virginia, think again. The above legislation would not have totally fixed this, but the changes would have helped.”

The Senate version of the bill, SB566, passed by a vote of 40-0. The House version, HB1068, made it out of the Transportation Committee, but in the full House it was defeated on a partisan vote.  All the Republican delegates voted against the bill, including Del. Rust from Herndon who had earlier voted for the bill in committee.  The W&OD Trail goes through the heart of Herndon, and the Reston Bike Club Thursday night rides start and end in the center of the Historic Downtown District of Herndon.  There are bikers constantly getting on and off this wonderful Trail.  For the Delegate from the Town of Herndon to not be a proponent of bike safety flies in the face of reason.  Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau appreciates the Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling (”FABB”) MARCH-APRIL 2010 FABB News

See the Virginia Bicycle Federation analysis of the issues involved and some of the reasons for the bill’s failure this year.

One of the most terrifying experiences for any cyclist is  being chased by a pit bull, or several pit bulls.  These vicious dogs are often trained to attack and cause permanent disabling injury.  We have been contacted and retained by victims who have been bitten, knocked down and even knocked unconscious by large, fast-moving dogs.  Cyclists have been blind-sided by these charging canines, causing crashes and long-lasting scars to these athletes.  Even the fastest member of the peloton may ot be able to escape permanent or disabling injuries.  Chantilly and Centreville canine attack lawyer Landau has seen firsthand how devastating dog bite injuries can be to his clients and friends.  The staff at ABRAMS LANDAU has understands the emotional scarring can last long after the physical wounds have healed.  What can be done to increase biker safety or at least minimize the potential dog bite injuries ?  How does one safely avoid the deep, penetrating wounds that often result from a put bull and other large dog attacks and bites ?

According to Daniel Estep of the The National Animal Control Association’s training academy, “If the dog is 50 yards away and starts after you, if you can escape somewhere – inside a building. or on top of your car, or jump a fence – then that’s probably the best thing to do.  If the dog is closer than that, then that’s not a good idea.  In a footrace, you’re going to lose.  The January 2010 Esquire Magazine piece goes on to suggest:

1. If the attack is imminent, try to shove something in its mouth, hopefully not a vital body part.  If you’ve got a briefcase or clipboard or even a coat, shove that at the dog.  Most of the time, dogs are going to bite the first thing they get their teeth around.  And then you can try to walk your way out of the situation.
2. If that’s not possible, feed him your nondominant arm.  Arm, not hand.  And let him grab onto that and try to get yourself out of the situation.  The last thing you want to have happen is to be taken off your feet, because then it’s much more difficult to protect yourself from serious injuries.
3. If you get brought down, the best advice is to curl up into a ball and try to protect your belly and chest area.  Cover your neck with your hands and loop your arm around so that it covers your face.  When people roll up into this position and don’t move, oftentimes the dogs lose interest.

If you or someone you know has been injured in pit bull or other dog or animal attack, please e-mail us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., or call 703-796-9555 today.

Will triathlon and duathlon trial lawyer Doug Landau's winter training yield results ? Stay tuned ! His race card is filling up.

Always looking to combine races when he travels for cases, seminars, speeches and family, Doug Landau has registered for the Virginia DUathlon which is being contested the same week as the Virginia Trial Lawyer Annual Convention in Williamsburg.  The Herndon Reston area lawyer will forego the “Fun Run,” and serve as a volunteer for that sporting event as well as the Tennis Tournament he sponsors each year in order to rest up for the very competitive “VaDu.”  The run-bike-run format will enable the sports injury lawyer to assess his fitness 30 days prior to the US National DUathlon Championships.  The USAT “Duathlon Festival” will be contested for the third, and final year, in Downtown Richmond, thanks to the wonderful efforts of the Richmond Sports Backers.

Landau’s results the past two years have not been stellar, but he has worked hard through the winter to get his cycling and running legs in shape for these important early season races.  The peripatetic trial lawyer hopes that by “front loading” his early season, and not signing up for any full Olympic Distance Triathlons, he will be able to perform well at both the US National Duathlon short course road championship in April AND the US National Sprint Triathlon Championship in Alabama in late September.  Landau will be in Richmond the end of April in order to teach on the Virginia Supreme Court’s “New Judges’ Training Program.”  The ABRAMS LANDAU litigator will also be back in Richmond several times in May and June in order to teach at the annual Tort Law Seminar and for family and social functions.  If you want to see Doug in action, e-mail or call the office for details !

Coach Todd Katz of Hammer Down Cross Fit training in Chantilly Virginia putting people through their paces !

Recently my bride and I were invited to try out our friend Todd Katz’s “Hammer down cross fit” training program at his home.  As an athlete who likes interval training sessions and respects the incredible results of English mile champion Sebastian Coe, who mixed calisthenics with explosive movements and continuous movement, I was keen to see what Hammer Down Cross Fit was all about.  Todd had told me that Cross Fit can help with sports injury prevention, posture and core strength – all good things for this triathlon trial lawyer.

En route to a race in Southern Florida, we came across this Cross Fit studio !

Several friends have been training through the winter with Katz, who is an exceptional runner and competes in long distance road races.  First of all, it was cold.  Hard core cold.  Don’t take off your mittens cold, as we lifted dumbbells, did push ups, sit ups and other exercises outdoors on a frigid morning.  There was some running also involved, and the “regulars” seemed to feed off the energy and each other.  Todd recorded repetitions, tines and PRs and most looked like they were having fun.  My wife’s favorite part was the hot coffee afterwards.  I liked snack time.  Todd now has a permanent INDOOR location in Chantilly, and many videos showing you the exercise routines.  So, if you want something different, give Cross Fit a try !  Call Todd and visit his Chantilly fitness studio and see if what Cross Fit training has for you,

Bike crash and jogger injury lawyer Doug Landau at the Herndon General District Traffic Court

Just because there is no Traffic Court Hearing does NOT mean that the Defendant who got the ticket at the scene of the bike crash gets off scott free, according to Herndon, Loudoun bicycle crash lawyer Doug Landau.  The former prosecutor with the State’s Attorney’s Office adds that the fact that there was no hearing, findings or transcript from a Virginia General District Court trial does not automatically mean that the citation was dismissed.  Landau points out that ticketed Defendants often pre-pay the fines or fail to show up for court.  In both cases, according to Landau, a “guilty” plea is entered in the Court’s records, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s computer index and the Department of Motor Vehicles’ driver history.  The Virginia Code section for procedure in Traffic Court for guilty pleas and pre-payment can be found at § 19.2-254.1. Procedure in traffic infraction cases.

• In a traffic infraction case, as defined in § 46.2-100, involving an offense included in the uniform fine schedule established pursuant to § 16.1-69.40:1, a defendant may elect to enter a written appearance and waive court hearing, except in instances in which property damage or personal injury resulted. Arraignment is not necessary when waived by the accused or his counsel, when the accused fails to appear, or when such written appearance has been elected.

• An accused may plead not guilty, guilty, or nolo contendere; and the court shall not refuse to accept a plea of nolo contendere. A plea of guilty may be entered in writing without court appearance.
• When an accused tenders payment without executing a written waiver of court hearing and entry of guilty plea, such tender of payment shall itself be deemed a waiver of court hearing and entry of guilty plea.
• In districts with traffic violations bureaus on July 1, 1977, the chief judge of the district may designate the traffic violations bureau for the receipt of a written appearance, waiver of court hearing and guilty plea.

If you, or someone you know, has been injured in a car crash accident, whether or not the person who crashed into has been charged or received a ticket, please e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU (703-796-9555) BEFORE the Traffic Court date.  We have FREE information that can help you, even if we do not end up representing you.

Even Greek boxers knew the importance of hand, wrist and palm protection, even if they were otherwise unprotected

Just as these ancient Greek boxers sought protection for their hands from cuts, fractures and dislocations, bicycling gloves can help protect cyclists’ fingers and palms from “road rash,” lacerations and slipping off the brakes or handlebars.  Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau often wears bike gloves when it is cold, humid or wet outside for safety, not fashion.  The experienced triathlete lawyer eschews gloves indoors when spinning, CompuTrainer or recumbent cycling.  In crashes, when thrown from his bike, Landau notes that with gloves, his hands avoid road rash as well as embedded orated grit, glass and infection-causing debris.  Furthermore, when he gets back on his bicycle, he is able to grip his handlebars and brakes without pain.  Without multiple abrasions on his palms, fingers and wrists, Landau is able to avoid pressing germs from his handlebar tape into the wound sites.  The W&OD Trail cyclist recommends that in addition to always wearing your helmet for head and brain injury protection, that you consider wearing cycling gloves, even during warm weather rides.  Bikers need full use of their hands to safely cycle the roads, paths and race courses of Virginia, Maryland and  the District of Columbia.

WRONG !  Herndon car and bike crash lawyer Doug Landau wagers that we all know someone who was issued a speeding or other traffic ticket, only to have it dismissed, reduced, or “beaten.”  Just because the person who caused a crash got a ticket DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY mean they are “guilty” in the civil personal injury case.  The ABRAMS LANDAU Trial Team has seen many cases where the Defendant was issued a ticket and their insurance company still denied the claim of the injured plaintiffs.  What’s more, according to former Florida State Prosecutor Landau, many tickets are dismissed, not prosecuted, beaten and even appealed.  That is why it is so critical to take proactive steps after a car crash, EVEN IF THE OTHER DRIVER IS GIVEN A TICKET ! If you, or someone you know, has been injured in a car crash accident, please e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU (703-796-9555) BEFORE the Traffic Court date.  We have FREE information that can help you, even if we do not end up representing you.

Doug Landau and his Nimble aero racing wheel

Injured athletes who have come to see Doug Landau in Court often note that he is in “constant motion” and quite “nimble” in the court room, with exhibits, computers and documents at his fingertips. Just as is the case in his race preparation, Ashburn injury lawyer Landau and his staff invest a lot of time and effort in making sure that their cases proceed smoothly.

One of the ways Doug Landau makes sure his racing goes without an injury causing crash is by racing with Nimble three-spoke wheels. These state-of-the-art bicycle wheels, unlike solid discs he has used in the past, do not cause the TriathlonTrialLawyer to be buffeted and blown all over the road during windy conditions. The nimble bicycle wheels have excellent aerodynamics so that the TriathlonTrialLawyer can attain maximum speed. Furthermore, Landau has seen athletes injured by bladed 4-spoke “aero” wheels that broke and caused serious lacerations and permanent scarring. Landau has also witness other bike racers who have crashed when Read the rest of this entry »

For a quick meal on the go, Herndon trial lawyer Doug Landau, like Reston attorney Bob Nicoli, will often stop at Robeks for a healthy smoothie, wrap or salad. Since the smoothies are made to order, they are fresh and contain only those ingredients you select. After a particularly long or intense workout, or when recuperating from an injury, sports accident lawyer Landau will get a protein blend so that repair to damaged tissues can begin immediately with the necessary amino acids, vitamins and minerals.

Winning races is not easy. It takes focused training, regular rest and diet discipline, especially during the holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Years. TriathlonTrialLawyer Doug Landau points out, “What we eat, how much rest we get and how hard we train are all important parts of the fitness equation. Smart triathletes and trial lawyers get all three in balance.” So the next time you need a quick meal, skip “Mickey D’s” and the “BK lounge” and instead try a healthier alternative like Robeks.