Articles by Nick Johnson

1) Road Rage Accidents - Driver Beware
Road rage, we have all heard the term. Some of us, if we are completely honest, might even be guilty of it ourselves. Honking the horn, making gestures or cutting in front of another driver. All are considered to be examples of road rage. Road rage is seldom out of the news. In a recent incident in California, a man was beaten unconscious with a piece of metal pipe, after a confrontation. The Department... » read more

2) Teenage Driver Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), teenage driver accidents are so common that they are now considered to be the leading cause of death among teenagers (boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 19). In addition, males and females in this age bracket are responsible for 14 percent of all car accident-related fatalities, even though they only make up about seven... » read more

3) Drunk Driver Accidents and their Repercussions
Drunk drivers are just ordinary people who make bad choices when it comes to mixing alcohol and driving. Punishments for driving drunk tend to be mild compared to the damage that they could possibly do (and frequently that they do cause). Even a driver whose license is suspended or revoked is not actually, physically prevented from getting in their car and driving home from the bar again the next night. » read more

4) DUI Auto Accidents - What You Need to Know
Driving while under the influence "DUI" is, as we all know, one of the biggest causes of road fatalities in the United States. In 2005, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) just over 43,000 people were killed on American roads; of these, almost 40% were alcohol related. To put it another way - a person is killed every thirty minutes due to drunk driving. The obvious... » read more

5) Commercial Vehicle Accidents
An auto accident can be anything from inconvenient for both drivers involved to a terrible tragedy that might grip several families or even a whole community. Accidents involving commercial vehicles tend further toward tragic because of the size of the typical commercial vehicle when compared to the size of the average car. A commercial vehicle does not have to be a truck or another heavy vehicle, but... » read more

6) Cell Phone Auto Accidents
Many studies show that talking on a cell phone while driving causes auto accidents. A cell phone can be very distracting, especially when you are driving a vehicle . When it rings, you have to fish it out of your pocket, purse, bag, or briefcase, flip it open, find the "talk" button and then hold it to your ear to speak. All the while, you are not paying attention to the road or the drivers around you,... » read more

7) Brake Failure Accidents
They are something that we all take for granted, the brakes on our car. We expect them to work perfectly when necessary, and especially if we need them in an emergency. It's a part of the vehicle that's certainly overworked - the average driver uses their brakes an estimated 75,000 times in a year. Fortunately brake failure accidents are relatively rare. Comprising an estimated 5% or less of car... » read more

8) Accidents Involving Buses
Public transportation is supposed to be a safe and economical way to travel, also easing congestion of our roads and helping to keep traffic running smoothly. Busy commuters, school children, and people who cannot drive for any reason often use public transportation to get them where they need to go in an easy and timely manner. Millions of people take buses every year to tourist destinations, school... » read more

9) Accidents Caused By Tire Tread Separation
Most tires made for the cars that we drive today are steel belted radial tires. The most common defect in steel belted radial tires is tire tread separation. When you add these two facts together, you find that the most common tire defect on the cars we drive is tire tread separation, which can have dangerous and devastating effects for the drivers and passengers of the affected car as well as the people... » read more

10) How to Use Tracleer Safely
Tracleer is used in the treatment of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH), and works by reducing the blood levels of a molecule called endothelin. This molecule, which is thought to be partly responsible for the development of the condition, is naturally present in the blood. In people with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension endothelin levels are raised, causing blood vessels to become constricted, leading... » read more

11) Motorcycles and Motorcycle Accidents
It is easy to see why motorcycles are appealing to a large number of people, old and young alike. These vehicles are great for heavy daily commutes because they are small and maneuverable, making it possible to weave in and out of traffic and split lanes to get ahead of the crush of cars that are otherwise stalled. This practice is not only legal, it is encouraged as a method of relieving congestion and... » read more

12) General Information About Patents
Patent infringement is a serious offense in the United States. It can lead to serious damage awards if the case goes to trial. Often in cases of it, research by the offending company was previously performed to avoid it. However, often patent infringement happens when a company believes they are not directly violating certain laws. For the purpose of clarity, we will discuss it as it pertains to a... » read more

13) Demystifying an SUV Safety Report: Are Rollovers a Threat?
When it comes to SUV rollovers, most people commonly approach them in one of two ways, either they are worried about the danger of rollover every time they get into an SUV or they brush it off as a myth, believing that SUV rollovers are only as common as any other vehicle rolling over. The truth, however, is somewhere in between these two trains of thought. Riding in an SUV isnt a death sentence as long as... » read more

14) How to Deal with an SUV Rollover
SUV rollovers are notoriously dangerous. Thousands of motor vehicles are involved in rollovers every single year, and the unfortunatey thing about that is not only are many of these accidents preventable, but also that once people get into accidents, they have absolutely no idea what to do. If you own an SUV it is important to learn about rollovers so that you can avoid them and, God forbid your SUV does... » read more

15) A Safer SUV: Preventing Rollover
People are afraid to fly, afraid to play extreme sports, and afraid to bungee jump, and yet they jump into their vehicles without batting an eyelash. Unfortunately, more deaths are contributed to motor vehicle crashes than almost any other health or accident cause. That doesn't mean you have to stop driving, but what it does mean is that you should take extra precautions to stay safe while on the road,... » read more

16) Saving Your Family from Nursing Home Neglect
When our oldest relatives start to pass beyond their golden years and into a time when they need extensive care, sometimes the kindest thing that we think we can do for them is to put them in a situation where they will be cared for by a staff of professional nurses at all times. In some cases, however, this well intentioned act takes a deadly turn as nursing homes neglect and sometimes outright abuse... » read more

17) The Aftermath of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Nursing home abuse is a problem that stems from the overworked staff of nursing homes all across the country. Nurses with too many patients to handle are worn to the breaking point and beyond, often burning out and quitting, leaving nursing homes even shorter staffed. Those nurses that remain are often tired, overworked, and underpaid. None of this excuses neglect in nursing homes, but it certainly does... » read more

18) Handling an SUV Rollover Lawsuit
Screech! You've had an accident and have either been injured as a result, or someone involved in the accident has been killed. Your accident may have been caused by any number of reasons, and as those reasons are explored, it may be in your best interest to investigate the option of filing an SUV rollover lawsuit. Before you make the first appointment with an attorney, there are a few important things... » read more

19) Nursing Home Neglect - How Widespread is the Problem?
It is never an easy decision to place a loved one in a nursing home - as anyone who has ever done that knows only too well. Naturally, you hope and trust that the nursing home you have chosen is well run, safe and efficient. However, most people are surprised to realize just how widespread the problem of nursing home neglect is. We have all seen the TV advertisements and infomercials for attorneys who... » read more

20) Choosing and Hiring a Nursing Home Neglect Attorney
Nursing home abuse and neglect are widespread problem that attacks the very people we are trying most to protect: our senior citizens. Most of us are fortunate enough to know someone and care for someone who has made it to what we call old age. These people are fonts of knowledge with a lifetime's worth of experiences built up to share with us. They are often treated as beloved burdens, however,... » read more

21) Suffering from Nursing Home Negligence
Nursing homes are supposed to exist to care for the aging members of our society who are no longer able to care for themselves. They are supposed to be places of safety and security where our elderly loved ones can get the often extensive care that they need and the love and support of the staff that they desire. Unfortunately, these nursing homes have become less and less about the patient and more and... » read more

22) Saving Your Family from Nursing Home Neglect
When our oldest relatives start to pass beyond their golden years and into a time when they need extensive care, sometimes the kindest thing that we think we can do for them is to put them in a situation where they will be cared for by a staff of professional nurses at all times. In some cases, however, this well intentioned act takes a deadly turn as nursing homes neglect and sometimes outright abuse... » read more

23) Knowing the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse is a terrible problem that is striking our country and leaving many of our sickest and neediest citizens helpless and in pain. Nursing homes are becoming more and more understaffed in the quest for a good profit margin, and the elderly residents of these nursing homes are the people who are suffering because of it. This danger is one that is heartbreakingly common, and one that should... » read more

24) Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect: We Owe Them Better
It's disturbing - the number of nursing home abuse, neglect, and negligence lawsuit claims that are filed each year. More alarming is the amount of abuse, neglect, and negligence in nursing homes that go unreported. There are several reasons why so much abuse, neglect, and negligence of patients living there never get reported. Reasons such as fear of retribution for reporting abuse, medical... » read more

25) Nursing Home Abuse - What to Look for
It's something most of us don't want to talk about, but the problem of nursing home abuse is surprisingly widespread. Neglect, rather than actual abuse is more common, but the numbers speak for themselves - around a million residents in nursing homes are abused or neglected every year. Although the problem has existed for years, it has only recently been seriously addressed. The first comprehensive... » read more

26) SUV Rollover Injuries: Just the Facts, Ma'am
Starting in the mid-1990s, sport utility vehicles, known colloquially as SUVs, began to receive a lot of attention when accidents became prevalent due to poor body design, faulty tires, and excessive speed. As SUV rollover injuries increased, sport utility vehicles went through a period of extreme unpopularity, as consumers became wary of the level of safety available. Although manufacturers have... » read more

27) SUV Rollover Deaths
Shortly after the turn of the millennium, sport utility vehicles began experiencing awful difficulties with pre-mounted tires that accompanied the vehicle when it left the lot. Specifically, the Firestone tire company began experiencing terrible difficulties in manufacturing new tires, and this difficulty became a direct influence in causing SUV rollover deaths. In a study conducted by the United... » read more

28) SUV Rollover Accident Lawyers
The worst has happened and you are dealing with the aftermath of a death or deaths caused by an SUV rollover. As you and your family struggle to pick up the pieces and move on with life, there are many appropriate and necessary action to attend to, including a funeral and burial for the person or people who have been killed. Many who have lost loved ones then decide upon an additional plan of action,... » read more

29) California Patent Infringement Laws: A Review
Patent laws vary by state. Although there are federal ones, there are also state patent laws, and each state carries its own set determining factors for various forms of patent infringement. California patent laws vary from laws regarding patent infringement in New York by quite a bit. It is always best, and typically the only legal option, to choose a lawyer that actively practices patent infringement... » read more

30) Mesothelioma and Radiation Treatment
Mesothelioma treatment options are not all that varied considering that most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed well into the latter stages of the disease when surgical removal of the cancer is no longer possible. Radiation treatments, external radiation treatments, and brachytherapy are generally considered relatively productive at improving patient life and extending longevity. Brachytherapy is the... » read more

31) Understanding How to Acquire a Patent
Obtaining a patent isn't necessarily that difficult, however understanding patent laws can be very difficult. Many people hire a patent lawyer to make sure they understand patent laws and how to avoid patent infringement. Some people try to decipher patent laws themselves, but as they progress through the process and realize the remarkably steep financial penalties for patent infringement, many people... » read more

32) Contacting a Primary Pulmonary Hypertension Attorney
If you have been diagnosed with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension as a result of taking the drug Fen-Phen, or anti-depressants when pregnant, the results will be devastating. To this end, it is incumbent upon you to contact a Primary Pulmonary Hypertension Attorney who specializes in the field of pharmacology litigation, and who is caring and supportive to ensure you receive appropriate... » read more

33) Obtaining a Provisional Patent
A provisional patent is somewhat like obtaining a placeholder patent. The provisional patent is an initial patent, that is similar to a regular patent and is subject to most patent infringement laws, but it will not turn into a typical patent with all the patent rights until the applicant takes additional steps. The U.S. Patent Office has high regulations regarding provisional patents and won't hand over a... » read more

34) Filing and Settling Patent Infringement Cases
Patent infringement lawsuits deal directly with patent violations, the violation of an inventor's right to exclusively market and profit from the novel and original idea. Filing one is costly, and in the United States, the governing body of patents and patent application determines what is unique and original enough to be considered novel. The U.S. Patent Office does not deal with infringement. For... » read more

35) Obtaining a Utility Patent
A utility patent is granted based on an inventions complete novelty, and the usefulness of the invention. A utility patent lasts for a term of 20 years, and requires a patent fee based on the acceptance of the patent application. Filing a patent is best done with the assistance of a patent lawyer, one to help avoid the potential for patent infringement, and two, to be sure that the details, the... » read more

36) Obtaining a Design Patent
A design patent is generally reserved for what can be considered an enhancement on an existing material, product, or device that drastically improves or changes the item for useful purposes. Obtaining a patent for design features through the U.S. Patent Office is typically done via a patent lawyer and must meet a strict standard of criteria before a design patent will be considered. The U.S. Patent... » read more

37) Obtaining a Plant Patent
Patenting a plant is a fairly rare occurrence. The U.S. Patent Office issues between 3 and 5% of new patents annually for plants. Defining a new species of plant and applying for a plant patent can bring the herbal creator quite a bit of money, especially if the plant has any health properties worth marketing. Patent infringement as it relates to plant patents is not uncommon, as those who are aware of... » read more

38) Understanding How to Acquire a Patent
Obtaining a patent isn't necessarily that difficult, however understanding patent laws can be very difficult. Many people hire a patent lawyer to make sure they understand patent laws and how to avoid patent infringement. Some people try to decipher patent laws themselves, but as they progress through the process and realize the remarkably steep financial penalties for patent infringement, many people... » read more

39) Explaining Patents and Trademarks
The U.S. Patent Office is the warehousing authority on all registered patents and patents which have been applied for. Patent infringement is the use or profit based on a patent which has been registered or applied for, with a grace period of one year. However, patent infringement can still occur even within the one year grace period. Hiring a patent attorney is recommended for anyone wishing to... » read more

40) Asbestos Litigation in California
California asbestos laws have changed over the past few years, showing more favor toward the side of companies that have violated California asbestos laws prior to the year 1980. Asbestos litigation has taken on a whole new meaning as lawyers have had to take on this new specialty and grow into asbestos lawyers. What does all this mean for California residents in need of asbestos litigation? It... » read more