The sound of the impact when 300 pounds of professional football player, sprinting at top speed, strikes another player moving in the opposite direction at maximum velocity, it something not soon forgotten.  The momentum of each player (speed times mass) is truly shocking.  The league recognizes the potential for devastating and career ending head, neck and brain injuries and is looking into way to modify the game while still keeping its essential features.  Read more at the Washington Examiner.

To entirely prevent or mitigate concussive head-snapping, athletes strengthen their neck muscles and try to be prepared. When an athlete braces for a tackle, or a boxer gets ready for a punch to the head, the tensing of the neck muscles can keep the skull from jerking too fast. Bracing the neck to prevent fast deceleration of the brain inside of the skull can prevent or lessen the impact of a tackle, check or punch to the head.

Because of the short term and long term effects of single and repetitive insults to the head, the National Hockey League (“NHL”) has tried to eliminate blows to the skull that catch a player by surprise. The NHL banned blind side hits in 2010.
The Mayo Clinic suggested that all hits to the head, blindside and otherwise, be banned from hockey. Even though hockey and football players wear helmets, a concussion is often not the result of a direct blow to the head. Instead, rapid front-to-back and side-to-side snaps of the skull, as in a car crash, can result in loss of consciousness, concussions and swelling of the brain. When the head or body is buffeted by a large force, the movement can cause the brain to strike the inside of the hard, boney skull. The brain is anchored by the brain stem, like a thick rope holding a bowling ball on top. The brain moves at different speeds from the rest of the head, like a jello mold inside of a hard, glass jar (the skull). In severe deceleration cases, like car crashes and blind side tackles, the brain can even bounce off the inside of the skull, causing brain swelling, bleeding and permanent injury and deficits. If you or someone you know has had a head injury or sustained a deceleration accident that is causing headaches, dizziness or other symptoms, get medical assistance at once. If the harm was caused by the negligence or unsafe decisions of another, e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. (703-796-9555).

Sometimes, after running long distances in extremely cold conditions, Herndon Virginia sports injury lawyer Doug Landau, despite wearing layers, shows little brain activity !

When it gets dark earlier in the evening, and when glare and low sunsets compromise driver’s vision, it’s best to run off the roads or with a group.  Join a local running group in your area and enjoy your running.  Running off roads has its own set of special hazards.  For one thing, the uneven surfaces that I favor can cause twisted ankle in the low light conditions this time of year.  Also, the cold temperatures make soft cinder, mud and grass courses more unforgiving, leading to stress on the knees, IT bands and ankles.

If you run on streets, wear as much reflective and light colored gear as you can.  I understand that black clothing is “slenderizing,” but as a driver myself, I have a hard mew seeing runners in all black during “rush hour.”  If you can run during your lunch break, when the temperatures are higher and the lighting is better, try to do so.  It will keep your energy level high during the afternoon “doldrums,” and you won’t be so tired (or unmotivated) facing a workout after your commute home at the end of the day.  I tend to overdress in the winter with lots of layers, as I can always remove a light jacket, hat or open up some vents.  When there is snow on the ground, I like to wear high gators like mountain hikers wear.  It keeps snow and ice out of my running shoes and socks.  As long as my  extremities are warm (my hands, feet and head), then I can keep going for many miles.  But, as soon as I get wet and cold, I head for home,. hot soup and a bath.  Stay warm, run with friends, be safe and have fun this winter.

Doug Landau of the Herndon Law Firm ABRAMS LANDAU, at last year's National Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships held at the Prince Georges Sports & Learning Complex ("PGS&LC") in Landover Maryland

If you want to see how fast you are or you do not like running in the cold air, try an indoor track meet at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex (“PGS&LC”).  PGS&LC is convenient for track and field athletes from Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC.  While the track itself is not banked, it is fast, well maintained, and there are bleachers and a high ceiling so that you do not feel cramped or unable to breath.  Plus there is an outdoor track outside and plenty of space to warm up and cool down.

The facility is located on approximately 80 acres adjacent to the Washington Redskins’ FedEx Field in Landover, MD.  Indoor track meets are run throughout the winter months, with special events for masters athletes, kids and high school athletes.  The track features a newly installed 200-meter Mondo Super X Synthetic surface.  Competitors are allowed to use a maximum 1/4 inch pyramid spikes ONLY!  Be sure to check out the 2010/2011 indoor track and field meets scheduled, featuring the areas finest high school and collegiate athletes.  Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau of the Herndon law firm ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. has competed at the Complex many times.  Last winter the PGS&LC hosted the indoor Masters National Track & Field Championships.  The development concept for the Complex is a mix of publicly and privately owned and operated facilities on the site, which is owned by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

It is also a time to think of those who may be less fortunate than ourselves.  While I give of my time to volunteer, direct and help with school, sports and law related events, at ABRAMS LANDAU, we donate clothing, food, and supplies to the local free clinic, neighborhood resource center and community center.  In addition, regular donations of goods to Purple Heart, AmVets, the Lupus Foundation, Salvation Army, and the Red Cross Blood drives and National Bone Marrow Registry collection efforts.  While money may be tight throughout the USA, there are many ways we can give to others and contribute to help our fellow Americans.  Everyone at the Landau Law Shop hopes to do even more in 2011.

He was walking past the entrance of the lot that faces Va. 234 when a car pulled into the lot from the busy six-lane road and then hit him in the knee, injuring the Medial Collateral Ligament.   “The guy stopped and got out of the car and told me the sun was in his eyes and he couldn’t see me,” the victim said.  He did not believe that he was seriously injured at the time. But when he got home he started to feel pain in his knee, and his wife then convinced him to call police and report the crash.  She called for him only to find an officer would not take the report.  “They said since the crash happened in a parking lot, and the report was being filed after the fact, they wouldn’t take it,” said his wife. “That was really surprising to me. I guess pedestrians don’t have the right of way in Virginia.”

A Prince William police spokesman confirmed what the couple had been told, saying that it is optional for officers to take a report in cases like this. “A report is not required if a crash happens in a parking lot. We have the option of taking one, but in a crash investigation we have to be able to see what happened, and it’s difficult to do when drivers and those involved in the crash have left the scene.”

Because of his injury, the Airman must undergo three months of physical therapy to restore his MCL.  Friday morning’s victim was hit at 6:40 a.m., before sunrise, as he attempted to walk out of the commuter lot toward the McDonald’s restaurant across the street, police said.  Since the man was not using a crosswalk, the victim is considered to be at fault in the crash, according to the police spokesperson.

• 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 report an aggressive driver when the action is occurring or you may file a report with the appropriate law enforcement agency after the fact. To report a driver when he/she is exhibiting the aggressive driving behavior dial #77 and your call should be directed to the appropriate jurisdiction. #77 is designed to help drivers report a driver in distress or exhibiting unsafe behavior. To report the incident after the fact, you must be able to identify the operator of the vehicle and provide a tag number, car make and model and be willing to serve as a witness.

NOTE: Each law enforcement agency has specific requirements and procedures for reporting traffic safety violations. It is up to each agency to respond to file reports.

NOTE: Each law enforcement agency has specific requirements and procedures for reporting traffic safety violations. It is up to each agency to respond to file reports.

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 the race directors, sponsors or volunteers are liable.  There must be a showing of negligence, of a “failure to act with reasonable care under the circumstances.”  And, even if there is such a showing, the defenses of “Assumption of the risk,” and “Contributory negligence” can reduce the damages recoverable or even end the case altogether.  The Release all athletes sign if they want to participate is another hurdle, as is the “charitable immunity” that many races have as the result of their fundraising and non-profit status.  An injured athlete can sue a negligent driver who causes a crash on the race course or the manufacturer of a defective bicycle.  However, those are cases that do not involve any action on the part of the race production team.  If you or someone you know has been injured while racing or training, please e-mail or call us (703-796-9555) at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., as there are very short time periods for making claims as the result of sports injuries.