Pokémon Go is the latest craze and it has taken the world by storm. Unfortunately, this popular cell phone game is one that needs to be played out in the world- which means that people are getting behind the wheel and driving while they are focused on their phones.
These Pokémon Go players are taking distracted driving to a whole new level, endangering themselves and others. The New York Daily News reports there have already been numerous Pokémon Go collisions, and unfortunately more crashes are likely to continue occurring as long as the game remains so popular.
Drivers, who are not supposed to be texting or using the Internet on their phones while operating vehicles, need to be aware of the risks of playing a cell phone game. If a driver does choose to play a game while he is behind the wheel, the motorist should be held accountable for serious injuries and fatalities that occur because of this irresponsible choice. New York City injury attorneys can provide representation to victims.
Pokémon Go Accidents Become a Risk for Motorists
The New York Daily News reported that one of the first Pokémon Go accidents involved a driver in upstate New York who veered off the road and crashed into a tree. He was not seriously injured, but he did damage the front of his vehicle, crack his windshield, and break his ankle.
The engine was apparently starting to intrude on the passenger compartment of the car, and a responding police officer indicated that the driver was extremely lucky that he had not been hurt more seriously. The driver admitted to the police and the fire department that he had been distracted by the game and his loss of focus was what caused him to hit the tree.
In another incident, a 15-year-old girl was walking along with her phone and playing Pokémon Go. She ended up walking right onto a busy intersection at around 5:00 PM and was promptly hit by a car. Her mother blamed the game for causing her to walk across the highway to find a Pokémon. A spokesperson for the children’s hospital where the girl was treated said that they had seen several other patients because of injuries sustained in the game.
Local police departments are warning motorists (and walkers) that losing focus on the world around you as a result of the game is a very high-risk thing to do. A Washington Post editorial discussing the Pokémon Go accidents that have already occurred also indicated that there are likely to be many more accidents because of drivers fiddling with their phones.
The article suggested that the Pokémon Go problem is a sign of a larger problem with drivers and lawmakers not expressing the proper level of concern about the risks of smart phone use behind the wheel.
With around 5,000 deaths per year caused by distracted driving, Pokémon Go is an added danger that simply isn’t needed on the roads. If drivers choose to use their phones for any reason- including game playing- and accidents happen, victims should consult with the injury attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff about their options for pursing compensation.