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[/profileleft]We wrote about the burgeoning Pokémon Go phenomenon last week and delved into the potential dangers of playing this incredibly popular game in the wrong place and at the wrong time. While this game is obviously fun and millions of people have downloaded and played it, it’s also dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. Since our initial coverage of the game and these risks, the news around the United States has been filled with stories regarding Pokémon Go accidents. We’d like for people to be aware of their rights if they are injured in an accident caused by someone who is playing Pokémon Go at the time as well as the risks that those who play out in public are taking.
Pokémon Go Accidents – Examples
Rather than deal with one or two specific stories regarding Pokémon Go accidents, it may be worthwhile to provide some links to examples of stories that detail these incidents:
- Video of driver crashing into parked police car in Baltimore while playing Pokémon Go
- Washington State Pokémon Go accident
- Massachusetts Pokémon Go accident
- New York Pokémon Go accident
- Suspected Minnesota Pokémon Go accident
It should clear that this appears to be an emerging and troubling trend. People are suffering serious injuries as they and others play this game.
Pokémon Go Accidents – Potential Liability
In recent years, most of us have seen reports on several different studies that deal with distracted driving. These studies were largely prompted by the introduction of cell phones and other handheld devices that people were using while behind the wheel. Nearly all of the studies came to the same conclusion – driving while talking or typing on a cell phone creates a greater risk for an accident. People who have caused crashes while distracted by a cell phone have been found liable in personal injury lawsuits that followed, and several states have now outlawed the use of cell phones without a hands-free device.
When someone is driving while playing Pokémon Go, he or she is just as if not more distracted than someone who is talking on a cell phone or reading and sending text messages. The common factor is that the driver’s eyes and attention are not on the road, but instead on something else. As such, it seems possible that at some point soon, someone who causes a car accident while playing Pokémon Go and causes injuries or other losses could face legal liability for negligent distracted driving.
Pokémon Go – Your Legal Rights
If you are injured in a crash because someone was distracted by Pokémon Go, you need to make sure that you fully understand your legal rights and options. You can do so by contacting one of the San Diego personal injury lawyers at Gomez Trial Attorneys. If you enjoy playing Pokémon Go, do so in a confined and safe area so that you don’t wind up causing an accident that could have you facing legal liability. Making this wise choice could prove to be the difference between causing an accident and simply having fun playing the game.
