Text Messaging While Driving May Have Caused the Death of Celebrity Plastic Surgeon in Fatal Car Accident
Recent news reports indicate that celebrity plastic surgeon Frank Ryan who died in a car crash may have been sending text messages right before the fatal crash. According to sources, celebrity publicist Charmaine Blake informed People Magazine that Dr. Ryan’s family was told by investigators that tweeting caused the fatal car accident. The California Highway Patrol confirmed that Ryan was texting before the crash but investigators have not officially determined the cause of the accident. Dr. Ryan was a plastic surgeon who famously performed ten surgeries on Heidi Montag and other stars such as Gene Simmons, Vince Neil, Adrianne Currey, and Shauna Sand.
I am an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer who for many years advocated against the use of cell phones and argued to ban texting by drivers while operating motor vehicles. When one uses a cell phone to text a message, research reveals that the driver takes his eyes off the road and puts himself and others at a significantly high risk of accidents. In fact, drivers of heavy trucks and buses who are texting are 23.2 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near crash event than those who are not texting while driving. Studies have indicated that drivers of vehicles who take their eyes off the road for 5 to 6 seconds while texting result in hundreds of thousands of fatal crashes a year. In this experienced car accident attorney’s opinion, talking on cell phones and texting while driving should be made illegal in all states and as socially unacceptable as being drunk behind the wheel.
The experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily have long been outspoken critics against talking or texting on cell phones while behind the wheel of a car. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Dr. Frank Ryan. This unfortunate and tragic accident should send a loud message that texting while driving can be a deadly combination. If you or a loved one has been involved in a Pennsylvania car accident, please feel free to contact one of our experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorneys for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.
