In 1943, Landau received the academic title of doctor of sciences and professor without defending any dissertation; his scientific discoveries alone were enough for him to receive this honour. His research into all areas of theoretical physics brought him fame at a young age. For his groundbreaking work concerning condensed matter, especially liquid helium, he won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1962, That same year he sustained serious injuries in a car crash, leading to his premature death six years later.