Woman Killed By Drunk Driver While Walking To Her Car

Earlier last month, Teetra Bell was walking to her car that was parked across from her North Philadelphia home. One vehicle stopped to allow her to cross, but another one swerved around and struck Bell.

“She never made it,” Bell’s mother said. “Her body suffered a lot of trauma and was mutilated.” Police say that the suspected drunk driver, Michelle Fields, hit Bell with her vehicle, throwing her body into a tree.

Bell was a single mother to a 17-year-old girl and was a caretaker, helping girls from broken homes.

At the Dan Doyle Law Group, we unfortunately see accidents like this all the time. Often the results of a DUI accident are severe injuries and fatalities. Do you know where to turn if you have been affected by a drunk driver?

If you need a Philadelphia DUI accident lawyer, we will help you recover the compensation you deserve for your accident-related expenses.

The Numbers

For Pennsylvania in 2017, alcohol-related crashes increased to 10,346 from 10,256 in 2016. Alcohol-related fatalities remained fairly steady, with 293 in 2017.

Here is the scary part – alcohol-related fatalities were 26 percent of the total traffic fatalities. Drivers who make the choice to get behind the wheel after they have had too much to drink are irresponsible and should be held accountable for their actions. Far too often, impaired drivers are the source of pain and suffering for those injured and for the families of those killed.

Dram Shop and Liquor Laws

What many people do not think of in DUI cases are the those who serve intoxicated individuals alcohol. If a person is drinking at a bar, restaurant, or other establishments that serves alcohol, the people who work there have responsibilities under the law.

If a bartender or server continues to serve someone who is visibly intoxicated, the are violating the law. We recognize that there is no way for a serve to know a person’s blood alcohol content, but there are other responsible ways to judge a person’s level of intoxication. Servers can look for slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and difficulty walking. All of those indicate that a person should not be served any more alcohol.

Dram shop laws exist for a reason. They are meant to deter establishments from overserving alcohol to potential drivers.

What Are Your Options?

If you or a loved one have been affected by a drunk driver, you need to seek legal assistance. We know that this likely involves a criminal DUI case, but there is a chance that insurance companies will not offer you enough to cover all of your accident-related expenses. At the Dan Doyle Law Group, we want to help. We know how expensive accidents can be, from property damage to medical costs. We will help you recover compensation for medical your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering damages, and more.

If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of a drunk driver, we will help you determine the best steps forward. You can contact us by clicking here or calling 215-987-3730 for a free consultation.