The Athlete's Lawyer

Herndon injury lawyer Doug Landau, SPOKES publisher Neil Sandler, Virginia Triathlon Series race director Greg Hawkins, and Rehab 2 Racing Triathlon Coach Rob Colburn survey the scene at the 2011 Multisport World Expo in Bethesda, MD

Multisport World came to the Mid Atlantic region today.   Developed in partnership with USAT Mid-Atlantic Region and held at the state-of-the-art Hanley Center for Athletic Excellence at Georgetown Prep in North Bethesda, Maryland, triathletes, duathletes, bikers, runners and swimmers were treated to a full day of activities.   The local high school’s indoor track, pool and conference rooms were devoted to multisport seminars, training clinics, workshops, competitive events and more.  The first 500 registered attendees received  swag bags with product samples, money-saving coupons and more.  Plus all registered attendees were eligible to win valuable prizes and receive discounts to selected Multisport World clinics.

The campus golf course and outdoor track were the venues for the Newton running shoes demonstration and challenging 5km and the pristine pool, held Total Immersion swim clinics.  Georgetown Prep was the site of the Bethesda Cure Autism Now Sprint Triathlon (yes, that’s my photo on the far right, exiting the pool en route to winning the race 2 years ago !).  All of the big names, and clubs from Virginia, Maryland and DC triathlon were there.  There were also a number of newcomers and there was something for everyone, from “newbie” to veteran.  In the following posts, the competitions and other news will be published.

As a customer who gets a “dividend” each year from REI, sports injury lawyer Doug Landau was impressed the the Recreational Equipment company’s voluntary recall of its Novara Fusion Bicycles.  In an age when many recreational product makers and sports product suppliers deny, obfuscate and/or pass the buck, REI’s act is commendable.  Landau, of the Herndon law firm ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. hopes that by posting notice of this recall,injuries to his fellow cyclists will be prevented.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with REI, announced a voluntary recall of the bicycles.  REI recalled the bicycles due to a fall hazard. The alloy steerer tube could separate from the fork causing the rider to lose control, posing a fall hazard to consumers. REI received one report of a steerer tube detaching. No injuries have been reported. This defective sports product was sold exclusively at REI stores nationwide and at REI.com from November 2009 to November 2010 for between $600 and $900.

Purchasers should immediately stop riding the bicycles and contact their local REI store or the REI customer service center to arrange for a replacement fork to be installed free of charge.  Remember, it is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. For more information, contact REI at (800) 426-4840 anytime or go to REI’s website.

With Loudoun County police stopping Fairfax bike riders for riding two-by-two, Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau was asked to look into the laws regarding bikers riding other than in single file formation.  Bicycling around Leesburg, Ashburn, Ashburton, Broadlands and Sterling is a great way to enjoy the rural parts of the Washington DC Metropolitan area.  Biking also allows us to go outdoors and get some exercise. While many people ride recreationally, if you spend time out on the roads around Loudoun, Fairfax and Prince William Counties, you cannot help but notice that we also have a substantial number of competitive bikers. 

Whether you are cycling just for recreation and want to ride alongside your fellow bikers, or you are training for competition and need a pace lane, you should know your rights and obligations as cyclist.  You should also ride defensively so as to avoid a car accident, crashing or injuring others.  As far as how many riders can ride across a Loudoun Country Virginia road, there seems to be differences of opinion inside and outside of the Northern Virginia cycling community.  Specifically, can a Loudoun County cyclist ride 2 abreast (or more) on the public roadways ? Read the rest of this entry »

Unlike most bikers I know, motorists have license plates, operators permits and vehicle registrations.  All of these documents are required under the laws of most states.  After representing several bikers picked up by local police for violations of state law, I was asked could they have gotten tickets (and potentially points on their Division of Motor Vehicles record) if they did not  have their drivers license on their person.  One irate cyclist noted that the foreign riders, who have no U.S drivers license, could not get points, nor could the young bike riders who did not yet have their permits.  It did not seem fair that drivers license carrying American citizens could be penalized this way.  Plus, it seemed unjust that a cyclist could lose his/her driving privileges for an infraction committed while biking, but a car driver cannot lose his/her bicycling privileges if they get too many speeding, reckless driving or DUI convictions !

Having prosecuted many ticketed motorists, I understand that from the police officers’ point of view, once a violation of the law has occurred, or the officer has a reasonable suspicion that there has been a violation, they can Read the rest of this entry »

When I followed professional football as a teenager in the 1970s, only Bubba Smith weighed more than 300 pounds.  Now, “super sized” linemen are commonplace.  Can you imagine a 300 pound person falling on top of you ?  How about 2 or 3 ?!!?  What about the health effects on these gigantic players, making sudden movements with all that weight, hitting each other and running anaerobically ?  And what happens to these large men when their playing days are over, and they are no longer professional athletes looked after by a team of doctors, trainers and dietitians ?

According to a report in the New York Times, there are more than 500 300-pounders presently.  A 1994 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study found that former offensive and defensive linemen had a 52% higher rate of death from cardiovascular disease than did the general population. Since then, the players at these positions have only gotten bigger, with the average weight in the NFL 252 pounds.  A 2005 University of North Carolina study found that more than a quarter of the NFL’s players fit the category of Class II obesity, Read the rest of this entry »

Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau of the Herndon law firm ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., was runner up in his age group at the Reston Town Center New Year's Day 5k road running race

In a new addition to the New Years Day racing lineup in Northern Virginia, our friends at Potomac River Running (“PRR”) have come up with a New Year’s Day 5k in Reston. The 5k started on Market Street at the Reston Town Center at the very civilized hour of 10 a.m.  One of the advantages of this venue is that there is plenty of free parking available in the numerous garages at the Town Center.  The race was computer chip timed, and packet pick up was available at the PRR Reston store. Read the rest of this entry »

Bikers stopped to traffic violations may find their ride (or race !) over prematurely if they do not have proper identification

Would the cops really frisk a cyclist in spandex ?  This is not as off-the-wall question as it may seem.  After representing several bikers picked up by local police for violations of state law, I was asked could they have gotten tickets (and potentially points on their Division of Motor Vehicles record) if they did not  have their drivers license on their person.  One irate cyclist noted that the foreign riders, who have no U.S drivers license, could not get points, nor could the young bike riders who did not yet have their permits.  It did not seem fair that drivers license carrying American citizens could be penalized this way.  Plus, it seemed unjust that a cyclist could lose his/her driving privileges for an infraction committed while biking, but a car driver cannot lose his/her bicycling privileges if they get too many speeding, reckless driving or DUI convictions !

Having prosecuted many ticketed motorists, I understand that from the police officers’ point of view, once a violation of the law has occurred, or the officer has a reasonable suspicion that there has been a violation, they can ask for identification.  Some states require more Read the rest of this entry »

When going to the office on cold winter mornings, I have seen bikers in covered helmets, booties and thick gloves braving the elements.  However, motorists around the W&OD Trail are often surprised to see cyclists and animals coming off the path and crossing Herndon, Sterling and Loudoun County roadways.  When a biker or deer appears in front of you on a snow covered road, and there is not enough time to brake, the following suggestions come from Rally Coach Tim O’Neil so that you do not end up killing the cyclist, the deer, yourself or totaling your car.

• Take your foot of the gas immediately.  Do not fixate on the biker, deer or motorcycle – you will just drive straight at it if you do.  Instead, look at the rear wheel or animal’s hindquarters, since cyclists, deer, elk, etc. are not likely to go into reverse !  Turn the steering wheel 90 degree to your right.
• Now your vehicle is headed toward the shoulder, ditch, guardrail, etc.  Do not panic.  You should look at where you want the car to go.  Fix your eyes on the center of the road and turn left twice as far, about 180 degrees.
• Once you have cleared the obstacle, animal, human or other, counter steer 45 degrees to your right and hit the gas to straighten out.

Hopefully, these tips will enable you to “live and let live.”  A car crash with a deer, cyclist or object in the road can be catastrophic.  The damage we have seen caused by impacts with deer are truly astounding.  The losses caused by car crashes with animals and cyclists are some of the most severe we see at the Landau Law Shop.  you might even want to practice, and take the newer drivers in your household out to an empty, safe parking lot, to practice winter driving techniques in order to prevent injury, property loss and death.

DC Running Coach, elite duathlete & National Road Running League founder Mike Hamberger, DC & Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau after competing in a 3km race in the Nation's Capitol

The National Road Running League (NRRL) has been formed to give runners in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia area a way to compete over the course of several local races in a team scoring format.  Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau attended the “pre-launch” event at Lulu Lemon in Georgetown after running in the Jingle Bell 10km.  There were representatives from the major running shoes stores, top runners, university clubs, road running clubs and other sports enthusiasts.  According to DC Running Coach Michael Hamberger, this is only running league in the country geared toward team competition across states.  Visit the NRRL website and be sure to watch the introduction video on the home page.

In 2011 the NRRL will only have 1 region competing in the U.S.; the Washington, DC metro area.  The DC area was recently ranked as the fittest city in the country for the 3rd straight year by the American College of Sports Medicine (“ACSM”).  Hamberger intends to grow the league until every city, town, or region in the country can be represented and a true “meet of champions” can take place each Fall.  The primary goal of the NRRL is to provide runners with a competitive outlet unlike anything to come before it, so that the team element of running can be put back into the sport.  This league is for everyone, not just the “elites.”   While there are “elite” male and female team divisions, there are also “weekend warrior” categories as well.  So check it out, put together a team (or join an existing group) and get ready to race !

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.