TheAthletesLawyer

USAT CEO Skip Gilbert and Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau at the USAT Duathlon natinal Championsips in Richmond, Virginia

As a Sprint Triathlon and Aquathon All American, as well as an Olympic Distance Honorable Mention award winner, Herndon multisport athlete and attorney Doug Landau feels that it is important to support the national governing body and the people who volunteer their time so that races can be conducted safely.  Over the years, Lawyer Landau has contributed to become a “gold member,” directed, sponsored and volunteered at athletic events.

USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon – one of the fastest growing sports in the world – as well as duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States. USAT sanctions 3,100 races and connects with more than 133,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches, and race directors on the grassroots level, USAT provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Championships, Pan American Games and the Summer Olympic Games.

ABRAMS LANDAU Trial lawyer Doug Landau has helped clients injured by potholes and other roadway defects.  One case in the District of Columbia involved a pothole that swallowed the ABRAMS LANDAU client’s front wheel while driving under L’Enfant Plaza in Washington, D.C.  Another client of cyclist lawyer Doug Landau was injured when his bicycle tire went into a hole on the Virginia bike path that was filled with water so it was impossible to see the dangerous condition.  Recently brought to the Herndon Reston injury lawyer’s attention was a lawsuit over a pot hole accident that settled in Missouri.

According to the Kansas Star, Jackson County Missouri, has agreed to a $270,000 settlement in a lawsuit filed by a cyclist who crashed his bike in a pot hole last summer. The plaintiff in this personal injury lawsuit was riding his motorcycle in east Jackson County when he pot hole ankle-deep and as wide as his arms, his lawsuit claims, suffering serious injuries. The suit alleges the county was previous aware of the dangerous pot hole but had done nothing to fix it.  Where there is a dangerous condition and sufficient “notice” such that the landowner knew or should have known about it and fixed, warned or taken other action to prevent foreseeable injuries, the law may affix liability and hold such a defendant liable for all of the Plaintiff’s reasonable and related losses.

If you have been harmed by the negligence or fault of a landowner, occupier, maintenance company or management group, e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. (703-796-9555).

The scene outside my neighborhood this morning after the rush hour bike crash just East of the Fairfax County Parkway, Virginia Route 7100 on West Ox Road

As I left my Oak Hill neighborhood this morning, I was immediately stopped because a biker had apparently been hit by a car and badly injured at West Ox Road and Ashburton in the Herndon – Oakton Woods area of Fairfax County.  Emergency Medical responders and Fire and Rescue teams were dispatched quickly.

EMTs assess, secure and prepare to transport thte injured biker this morning after an apparent crash at West Ox Road and Ashburton, in Oak Hill, Virginia

The EMTs and ambulance came to the scene of this rush hour bike crash and immediately set about to assess and then treat the injured athlete.  This car and bicycle crash occurred between Oak Farms Drive and the Fairfax County Parkway (Route 7100), about exits North of Fair Oaks Hospital.  The injured cyclist was being loaded onto a stretcher and had been placed in a neck brace to protect his neck from spinal cord damage as we were allowed to pass.  It brought home the fact that bike crashes can happen around the corner as well as far away on the trails, tours and race courses.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the injured cyclist and his family, and we hope that he gets appropriate medical care and recovers quickly.

If you or someone you know has been injured as the result of a bike crash, car accident or sports injury, please contact us by e-mail at ABRAMS LANDAU or call (703)-796-9555.

Police road protection officers are often a Triathlon, Duathlon & Running Race Director’s biggest single expense

Having directed and volunteered at a number of running races, triathlons and tennis tournaments over the years, Broad Run, Ashburn and Leesburg bike crash lawyer Doug Landau knows that the big expense items are: Police protection, Insurance and Permits.  Having local law enforcement secure dangerous intersections and road crossings can insure a safer race.  The Loudoun Fairfax and Prince William sports injury lawyer has seen too many “near misses” and uncontrolled race intersections where the question was not “Would there be a crash ?’ but rather, “When would a biker or runner be injured in an accident ?”

In some cities, having police can cost a conscientious race director several thousands of dollars.  Some towns require a police officer at each road crossing.  When then Alexandria injury lawyer Landau directed the “FAB 5km” in Old Town, he carefully avoided crossing streets by using the Mount Vernon Trail and Oronoco Park.  In addition to the physical presence of the police officers, their police cruisers lights, flares and safety cones can also help prevent car crashes with runners or big trucks accidentally coming onto the race course !  So the next time you are wondering were your entry fee goes, remember to include the charitable beneficiary of the fundraising, the SWAG you will show off later and the safety personnel.

Leesburg injury lawyer Doug Landau bikes to Loudoun Court house on Friday afternoon !

Because the Loudoun County Court House is not far from the W&OD Trail, Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau has biked to court !  It is less than 20 miles from the “Landau Law Shop” to the Circuit Court in Leesburg.  A Wrongful Death and Declaratory Judgment action filed by ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. was being submitted for approval by the Loudoun Circuit Court Friday afternoon.  Doug Landau has received a policy limits offer from the Defendant’s car insurance company for the fatal car crash after the Herndon Reston area law firm’s liability investigation was completed.

In order to get the family additional benefits, Landau filed a “Declaratory Judgement Action” so that the Circuit Court could issue a ruling on whether insurance policies held by other members of the family could also be accessed in order to compensate the plaintiffs for their losses.  The Circuit Court judge approved a $300,000 settlement, whereby the Defendant’s insurance company paid its policy limits of $100,000; a daughter living in the home’s policy paid $100,000 and another car owned by the family also paid its policy limits of $100,000.  If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in an accident, please e-mail or call ABRAMS LANDAU (703-796-9555) today so that we can help them and their family with all their potential claims.

After DUathlon Nationals, TriathlonTrialLawyer Doug Landau went to a spin class and learned of SportFit's FREE triathlon cycling seminar TODAY at Worldgate Sport & Health

As part of the 2010 SportFit TRIATHLON CLINIC SERIES Doug & Beth Baumgarten will once again hold a free clinic at the Worldgate Sport & Health Club in Herndon, Virginia.  If you are a first time (or novice) triathlete or an experienced multisport competitor, SPORTFIT LAB is a source for information on training, equipment, and race preparation.   Educational and bike safety seminars such as produced by the Baumgartens will hopefully increase the skills of participants in local triathlons, duathlons and bike races, and decrease the number of bike crashes, athletic injuries and sports accidents.  The husband and wife team has scheduled concise 90-minute sessions for athletes learn the latest science of triathlon training.

NEXT CLINIC: FRIDAY MAY 7th- 5:30-7:00 P.M. AT SPORTFIT LAB (Worldgate):

“THE BIKE IN TRIATHLON”

For more information, contact: SPORTFIT CONSULTING LLC of Northern Virginia

Email: db@sportfitconsulting.com   Phone: 703-657-7609   Mobile: 301-448-5499   Fax: 888-750-2869

W&OD Trail patrol member visits Thursday Farmers Market in Herndon, just down the street from the Landau Law Shop

While visiting the Herndon Thursday morning Farmers Market down the street from our buildings, I spotted a cyclist in a yellow “Trail Patrol” outfit.  While I and others from the Landau Law Shop had helped to clean the trail and volunteered as course marshals for running and bicycling events on this wonderful path, I did not know that there were official “Trail Patrol” members, as well as the Herndon police, on 2 wheels !

Neal was kind enough to share with me “W&OD Trail Rules and Guidelines” on cards in English and Spanish, so that I could help educate Trail users and continue to promote rider, runner, skater, cross country skier, roller blader, skate boarder and walker safety on this Northern Virginia Regional Park path.  Because we represent injured athletes, victims of car crashes, disabled cyclists and battered bikers, at ABRAMS LANDAU we see the devastation unsafe driving and cycling can cause.  Following up last week’s “ringing the bell for safety,” I intend to have these cards at the Reston Bike Club ride sign up table tonight !   In addition to Trail clean up and sponsorship, the Friends of the W&OD have programs and personnel serving Northern Virginia.  You can reach the W&OD Trail office at WOD@NVRPA.org or (703-729-0596)

Many bikers commuting on "Bike to Work Day" will go right past the Herndon Reston Sterling area Landau Law Shop

It’s free, it’s fun and it’s physical !  “Bike to Work Day” is in 3 weeks.  Join thousands of area commuters and Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau for a celebration of bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work!  There rate 35 regional pit stops, with SWAG, mechanics and riders of all levels.  Try a ride into the city with experienced commuter convoys and meet your fellow cyclists at Freedom Plaza.  Washington Area Bicyclist Association and Commuter Connections invite you to try bicycling to work as an alternative to solo driving. Help the Washington region become a better place to ride, a cleaner environment and a healthier community.  Bike to Work Day is a FREE event and open to all area commuters.  The ABRAMS LANDAU sports injury lawyer has participated a number of times, and Doug Landau enjoys the camaraderie, mechanical check ups and the freebies.  There will be a raffle, prizes, food, drink and more at all pit stops throughout the region.  Free T-shirts will available for the first 8,500 registrants who are in attendance at the pit stop they registered for in advance.  Registration for Bike to Work Day 2010 is now open!
Click on the pit stop link and register for the pit stop rally you plan to attend.  Raffles will be held at each pit stop for prizes including commuter bags, bike locks, and bicycles.

USAT Executive Director Skip Gilbert at the National Duathlon Championships with Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau discussing athlete safety, bicycle laws and "rules of the road" for bikers, runners and race directors

Finding the news of the arrests of charity cyclists and triathletes “disturbing,” USAT Executive Director Skip Gilbert was finally able to meet with Doug Landau in Richmond after the National Duathlon Festival in Richmond.  Gilbert told the injured athletes lawyer that he would, “see what we can do to help.”

Landau noted that, “when Loudoun County authorities arrest the runners, they will have achieved the ‘Triathlon TriFecta’ !  First the “Speedo 6,” then the “MS-8.”  What will be next ?  Bringing the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Paddy Wagon to the Leesburg 10/20 km or LoCo Triathlon ?  Cuffing Potomac River Runners at the Twilight Festival if they do not come to a complete stop at a stop sign or stop light during their warm up and/or cool down ?” A lot of area athletes are upset, as are the police & prosecutors.  When NBC came out to the ABRAMS LANDAU law office by the Herndon Caboose (the 20 mile mark of the 50+ mile W&OD Trail from D.C. to Leesburg), the filming revealed that NOT A SINGLE CYCLIST knew that they could:

1. lose their driver’s license,
2. get points on their Division of MOTOR Vehicles (”DMV”) record,
3. be convicted of a moving violation, and
4. have their insurance rates adversely impacted.

Landau’s own polling of Reston Bike Club members, discussions with Winchester Wheelmen and Tidewaters bikers, yield similar results.  So Landau and Gilbert have been corresponding for months as the sports injury lawyer was advised to contact the USAT before “Round 3.”  In the interests of safety and consistency, it is hoped that a coherent policy, rules of the road and enforcement will be promulgated.

Standing above the USAT DUathlon National Championship transition area, Doug Landau is happy to have finished the race without injury or crashing after hitting a bridge joint that caused a flat tire and the Triathlon Trial Lawyer to RUN the last 3 miles of the bike course - BAREFOOT !

When you’re  competing at the national championship level, every second counts.  In order to be one of the fastest multi-sport athletes, Herndon injury lawyer Doug Landau practices dismounting from his bike and immediately running at top speed.  The Triathlon Trial Lawyer also practices getting in and out of his bike shoes, which are attached to his racing bike pedals, without crashing or causing injury, while going 20 mph so as not to lose time in the transition area of a Duathlon or Triathlon.   At last year’s BRATS Vint Hill sprint triathlon in Warrenton, he finished 4th overall by less than one second ! So at this year’s National Duathlon Festival, when Landau’s bike flatted on the third and final lap, rather than quit (never an option), wait for a ride (and disqualification) or walk, he instead opted to keep from going hypothermic and ran across the Lee Bridge.  When he approached the finish line area, he was greeted with:

• “You’re supposed to ride the bike !”
• “You got off too soon, the transition area is 600 yards ahead !”
• “Where are your shoes ?”

Landau got out of his shoes and ran about 3 miles barefoot before he could get into the transition area.  He kept his bike helmet on, as USAT Rules mandate disqualification for removing your helmet before your bicycle is safely racked in its numbered sport.  So the Herndon Reston Triathlon lawyer looked quite foolish running down the street toward the spectators in his aerodynamic racing helmet with no shoes or socks !  However, Landau avoided injury due to his barefoot training and managed to finish in just under 2 hours.