TheAthletesLawyer

The 3rd Annual Bolt for Babies 5K running race benefitting the March of Dimes was held today at Marymount’s Arlington Campus.  The March of Dimes is the champion for ALL babies and continues to make strides in the fight against premature birth!

DC area running stalwart James Scarborough and Herndon trial lawyer Doug Landau after the March of Dimes "Bolt for Babies" 5k this morning

The March of Dimes also has such fund-raising  events as “Bikers for Babies” and “Walk for Babies.”  This year’s Bolt for Babies was a huge success with over 125 participants.  According to the official results, Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau of Herndon managed to get 5th place overall, and was a top age group finisher, easily winning the 50-59 age category.  Landau was using today’s event to prepare for the USAT National Sprint Triathlon Championships at the end of September.  While his time was slow (6:45 per mile average), his placing and lack of soreness afterwards were encouraging.  Tomorrow the Virginia sports injury lawyer intends to do a “brick” workout on the Reston Triathlon bike and run courses, as the ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. attorney is scheduled to be a volunteer at South Lakes High School on Saturday and then race on Sunday, September 12th, 2010.

While Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau has not entered sufficient races in the Virginia Triathlon Series (”VTS”) this year, he nevertheless enjoys the competition and camaraderie of the events that Set-Up, Inc. puts on all over the middle Atlantic region.  While he does not intend to race at the Olympic Distance in 2010, Landau is slated to compete in three sprint distance races, in Luray, Warrenton and Spotsylvania Virginia.

The Luray Triathlon is set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the beautiful town of Luray.  A half mile one loop swim in pristine Lake Arrowhead gets athletes ready for the rolling 16.5 mile bike on paved roads surrounded by the woods and farms of the Shenandoah Valley.  The race concludes with a 5K that is an out and back with rolling hills and all on the roads of Page County.  Landau has competed successfully in the Olympic Distance Race, which uses much of the same routes.

Rehab to racing coaches Rob (in the middle) & Stephanie Colburn at the Luray Triathlon, where he completed both races

The VTS race directors suggest that athletes come to Luray with its 300+ acres of award-winning parkland and spend some time exploring the downtown and seeing what the Shenandoah Valley has to offer !  Set Up, Inc. offers a real challenge for IronMan and half Iron athletes who want to test themselves over 2 days.   Billed as the “Luray Double,” Athletes who complete the “Luray Double” by completing the Luray International and Luray Sprint in the same weekend receive a special hand-engraved goblet.  Furthermore, comic strip “Frazz” creator Jef Mallet is slated to try the “Luray Double” as is “Rehab to Racing” Coach and training partner Rob Colburn.

When your friend with the bad driving record asks to borrow your car, a recent judge’s ruling should make you think twice before turning over the keys.  Virginia courts have long allowed lawsuits to be brought against the owner of a vehicle, even when that person was not behind the wheel when the accident occurred.  Traditionally, these “negligent entrustment” lawsuits were only allowed when the vehicle’s owner allowed a person he knew to be physically or mentally impaired to drive.  However, a Rockingham County judge has recently allowed one such negligent entrustment suit to be brought where the only “impairment” of the driver was his propensity for dangerous highway antics.

In this case the owner of the vehicle sat idly by in the passenger seat, while the driver continuously swerved off the road, tailgated other drivers, and drove the car into the oncoming lane.  By allowing the driver to continue these “road games” in his vehicle, the owner opened himself up to a large wrongful death suit when the driver eventually crossed the center line, killing an oncoming driver.

So, if you have a friend who you know to be a reckless driver, take a minute to think about your potential liability before allowing him to get behind the wheel of your car.  If his reckless driving ends up causing someone else’s injuries, it could be you sitting in the defendant’s chair, with your assets on the line.

If you have been harmed by the negligence or fault of a company whose employee or agent caused you injury, e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. (703-796-9555) at once, as negligent entrustment claims require extra preparation and proof.

While sports injury lawyer Doug Landau is frequently contacted to help an injured runner or biker, even in cases where the driver or other party is at fault, if there is no coverage or ability to pay for the harms caused, then it may not be a wise move to  go forward with a claim.  In other words, even if the ABRAMS LANDAU trial team wins the case, if no recovery can be made for the injured athlete, then it may not be a smart move to litigate the matter.  Recently, the question came up, if a runner is run over by biker, is there insurance coverage to pay for the injuries and losses sustained ?

While the automobile insurance probably would not pay, since the accident did not involve “a motor vehicle,” the defendant driver’s homeowner’s insurance policy may be a source of funds to pay for the damages.  And in a case where a bike crashes into another bike, the homeowners insurance may also be able to pay for the harms caused by the careless or negligent rider.  Absolutely.  Even renter’s liability insurance may be collectible in a case brought against a careless bike rider who causes serious personal injury to a runner, biker or other person on the road, bike path or sidewalk.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle, running or pedestrian accident or an insurance company is denying their injury claim, please e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. (703-796-9555) at once, as it is very important to investigate these cases as soon as possible after the crash.

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.

Bike crash and head injury lawyer Doug Landau always wears his helmet when riding his bicycle outdoors

Sports and recreational injury lawyer Doug Landau is proud to announce that the DC Trial Lawyers Foundation is giving away 200 bike helmets to D.C. kids on Thursday, June 10, 2010.  The event will take place at the Anne Beers Elementary School located at 3600 Alabama Ave SE Washington DC.  The hours are from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Stop by any time!  This event was rescheduled from an earlier date in June.  The DC Trial Lawyers Foundation is the charitable arm of the DC Trial Lawyers Association.

Attending the monthly educational meetings of the Trial Lawyers of DC enables Herndon Reston and Leesburg injury lawyer Doug Landau to keep abreast of the latest developments in personal injury law in the District of Columbia.  Landau is an active member of the DC and Virginia Trial Lawyers Associations in order to share notes and strategies with other experienced trial lawyers in the DC Metropolitan area.  Landau, who has represented injured bikers, children and athletes, also belongs to, teaches and writes for the American Association for Justice (”AAJ”), the national trial lawyer association for many of the same reasons.

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.

Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau supports Brain Injury Association programming and educational events for those suffering from head injury, loss of consciousness and traumatic brain injury ("TBI")

In recognition of March as Brain Injury Awareness Month and the Brain Injury Association’s ongoing commitment to sports and concussions, BIAA and its nationwide network of 44 State Affiliates is launching a year-long, nationwide education and advocacy campaign: “A concussion is a brain injury. Get the facts.”  The campaign will launch with public service announcements, awareness proclamations and special events. A state advocacy effort to introduce legislation to train coaches and protect youth athletes will continue throughout the year along with ongoing nationwide education.   Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau supports BIA programming and looks forward to sponsoring the BIA “Miracle Mile” event at George Mason University in September.

A concussion is a brain injury period. BIAA believes coaches of every school athletic team and every extracurricular athletic activity should be trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of brain injury, including concussions and second impact syndrome. BIAA also believes young athletes who appear t have sustained a concussion should have written authorization by a health care professional before returning to play.

A concussion is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head, or from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Most concussions occur without a loss of consciousness and according to the CDC, a lack of proper diagnosis and management of concussion may result in a serious long-term consequences, or risk of coma or death. Signs and symptoms may be noticeable immediately, or it may take days or weeks before they are present.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions occur in the United State each year. Of that estimate U.S. emergency departments treat approximately 135,000 sports- and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions, among children ages 5 to 18.  To support year-long education and awareness efforts, click on the downloadable materials to distribute throughout your community today! BIAA encourages the use and distribution of these materials throughout 2010.

Wellesly Hills 5k race director & Richmond actress Nicole Fratkin signs her autograph for her fan Doug Landau

Everyone knows Doug Landau try a lot of cases and runs a lot of races.  The Triathlon Trial Lawyer has tried several workers compensation cases and Social Security claims on the same day.  The Herndon Reston injury lawyer even won the Herndon Super Sprint Triathlon and then 2 hours later was the Masters champ at the Spring Childrens Brain Tumor Foundation Biathlon.  In a fortnight, the Landaus hope to race at the
GroundForce IT Power Sprint Triathlon and then complete a “double header” by running in the Wellesly 5k.  Both events are in Richmond, where Mrs. Landau grew up, and the multisport competition will be held once again at the Shady Grove YMCA.  The Power Sprint starts at 7:00 AM, and consists of a 300 Meter Pool Swim, then a 20K Bike ride, followed immediately by a 5K Run through Glen Allen, Virginia, Sunday, May 23, 2010

The Wellesly run starts at a more civil time – 1:30 PM !  Not many races start after Sunday brunch !  The event directors are all high school students who state that they “ARE UNITING OUR COMMUNITY TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.”  As Sophomores at Deep Run High School they are continuing their Middle School Community Service Project, to help those kids who have cancer or who are recovering from cancer.  The Wellesley 5K has united the community to raise approximately $40,000 for pediatric cancer Read the rest of this entry »

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.