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MADD, NFL Designated Driver Program Sees Increase In Volunteers

by on February 1, 2012 in Accident, drunk driving, MADD, transportation news

A program aimed at keeping drunk drivers off the road during and after NFL games announced they have had record sign ups for volunteers this season.

According to the press release from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, also known as MADD, the organization had 220,000 fans sign up to be designated drivers for game day, representing a 30 percent increase from 2010.

The Chicago Bears, along with eight other NFL teams partnered with MADD in 2011 for a designated driver program to help make game-day safer for the fans. The program ran throughout the season and will conclude with the Super Bowl XLVI, Sunday.

MADD and the NFL worked together to urge people to take a stand against drunk driving through a Facebook campaign and a program encouraging parents to discuss drunk driving with their children.

During the pre-game MADD distributes information cards and plays a PSA urging people to be designated drivers and avoid drinking and driving.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a drunk driving accident, the Chicago personal injury attorneys at Dwyer & McDevitt are here to assist you. We can discuss your situation and help you decide if a personal injury claim should be persued. Call us today and find out how we can help you.

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Durbin Requests More Funding For Rail Projects

by on January 31, 2012 in legislation, transportation news

United States Senator Dick Durbin requested increased funding for rail investments under a new transportation bill Tuesday.

Durbin requested the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation increase funding forIllinois rail priorities, including multiple grant programs, in it’s bill to reauthorize the Surface Transportation Act.

Durbin outline three rail and transportation priorities: rail relocation grants, which established a grant program to help finance local rail line relocation and improvement projects; high-speed rail and intercity passenger rails, which helped jumpstart the rebuilding of the rail network; and the TIGER grant program, which allows local communities to apply directly to the Department of Transportation for funding of “nationally-significant transportation projects.”

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works voted unaminously to favorably report its portion of the legislation.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a serious accident, the Chicago personal injury attorneys at Dwyer & McDevitt are here for you. Call us today for a free, initial consultation.

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Traffic Decreased 4.5 Percent Since New Tolls Implemented

by on January 15, 2012 in transportation news

Car traffic has decreased on the Illinois Tollways since the fare increase was implemented January 1, officials said.

According to the Illinois Tollway, they have lost about 4.5 percent of their daily traffic since the new tolls have gone into effect. Those toll rates increased fares 90 percent for I-Pass users and have increased cash fares are double the I-Pass fares as they have been in the past.

Sales of I-Pass devices was up 27 percent as well. The decrease was still less than the planned six percent decrease the changes were expected to bring.

Tollway officials are hoping the new fares will generate a 41.9 percent increase in revenue in 2012.

Find out more about the Illinois tolls and specific fares for particular toll booths on the Illinois Tollway Web site.

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Train Derails, Traffic Diverted For Hours

by on January 14, 2012 in Accident, train accident, transportation news

Traffic was diverted Thursday when a train carrying ethanol derailed in Gibson City.

Officials said two tanker cars contianing 28,000 gallons each of ethanol slipped off the railroad tracks about 2 p.m. Even though no leak happened, the highway was clear for nearly 11 hours after the derailment.

According to reports, the trains did not tip over and the tracks were being repaired on Friday. Local businesses did have to evacuate as a safety percaution, however, and a mile-long stretch of Illinois 9 was closed until about 1 a.m.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a train accident, you may need the counsel of an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer. Contact our office today for your free, initial consultation.

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New Law Requires All To Buckle Up

by on December 29, 2011 in accidental death, car accident, seat belt law, transportation news

It will now be illegal for anyone riding in a vehicle in Illinois to not buckle up.

Beginning January 1, a new law takes effect requiring all occupants of a motor vehicle to be properly restrained while the vehicle is in motion. Currently, only the driver and front-seat passengers must wear a seatbelt.

If someone is cited for riding without a seatbelt, a $60 fine will be assessed and if the person is younger than 16 years old, the driver will be responsible for the fine.

Those riding in buses and taxis will be exempt from the new laws.

If you or someone you love have been injured in a car accident, you need an experienced Illinois accident attorney by your side to fight for you. Contact us today so we can discuss your case.

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Effort To Crack Down On Illegal Use Of Disabled Parking Tags

by on November 25, 2011 in Accident, transportation news

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced this week a new initiative aimed at cracking down on those who illegally use disabled parking placards, especially in the metered spots that are free and crowded places such as area malls.

Officers will check placards on parked cards to make sure they match the assigned license plates as well as pull over drivers who get into cars parked in disability spaces.

To legally use the placard, the person who received it must be in the vehicle and must have entered and exited the vehicle where it was parked.

Illegally using a placard or disability license plate carries a $500 fine. A driver may receive up to a $350 fine if they park in a disability parking space and are not certified to do so.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured, the law offices of Dwyer & McDevitt, Ltd. are here to help you. Contact our offices today and talk to your Chicago personal injury lawyers.

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Man Charged In 2009 Crash That Killed Unborn Baby

by on July 15, 2011 in Accident, accidental death, car accident, transportation news, wrongful death

A 22-year-old was charged with homicide by negligent use of a motor vehicle in a 2009 crash that took the life of a woman’s unborn child.

According to The Northwestern, the man, Joshua J. Ozment, was charged Monday in a head-on crash that killed Emmy Kiecker’s unborn child. He allegedly crossed the center line at an esitmated speed of 14 to 18 miles over the speed limit before hitting Kiecker. She was 5 1/2 months pregnant at the time of the crash and she lost the unborn baby as a result.

Read more about the story here >>>

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, our office can help. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.

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Amtrak Sues Trucking Company Involved In Deadly Crash

by on June 30, 2011 in Accident, accidental death, train accident, transportation news, truck accident, wrongful death

Amtrak sued the truck company involved in a Nevada crash that killed six and injured many more last Friday morning.

The crash occurred when the truck driver slammed into the train through the crossing gate in Nevada. About 200 passengers were on the California Zephyr at the time, traveling from Chicago to Emeryville, Ca.

The 43-year-old driver was one of those killed in the accident. The National Transportation and Safety Board is still investigating the accident and said it may take up to a year to complete the investigation.

Amtrak is suing the John Davis Trucking Company, based in Nevada, for unspecified damages, including loss of its train cars, loss of business and expenses associated with the clean-up and investigation.

The lawsuit is the second in connection with the accident. Earlier this week, an Amtrak attendee sued the trucking company for negligence.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a trucking or train accident, our offices may be able to help you. Contact us today for your free, immediate case evaluation.

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Two Men Killed By Metra Train

by on June 21, 2011 in Accident, accidental death, train accident, transportation news

Two men were struck and killed by a Metra train Monday night.

According to officials, the outbound train was heading toward Aurora when it hit the two men just before midnight on the Chicago-Cicero border.

A 30-year-old man was dead on the scene and a 53-year-old man died later at a local hospital. The accident occurred on the tracks and not at a crossing, according to police.

The train was scheduled to arrive in Aurora at 12:55 a.m., but was detained at the scene for an investigation. Passengers were transported to another train and arrived an hour late.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a train accident, we may be able to assist you. Contact our offices today for your free case evaluation.

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Former Dentist Convicted In Drunk Driving Death

by on June 18, 2011 in Accident, accidental death, car accident, drunk driving, transportation news, wrongful death

A former dentist was convicted Friday of killing a Navy veteran in a drunk driving accident almost three years ago.

Jeff Bondy was killed when Drew Forquer, now 51, made a sloppy left-turn, crossed the center line and ran into Bondy head-on. Bondy was on his motorcycle.

Forquer was convicted of reckless homicide and aggravated drunken driving. According to reports, Forquer had a history of drunken driving convictions prior to the accident and faces up to 15 years in prison for his role in Bondy’s death.

Officials said nearly four-hours after the accident, Forquer registered a 0.045 percent on the breathalyzer, below the legal limit, but survelliance video, field sobriety tests and eyewitness reports showed Forquer was very impaired at the time of the crash.

Sentencing will be at a later date.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a drunken driving accident, our firm may be able to assist you. Contact our offices today for your free case evaluation.

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