In case you haven’t heard, the smartphone game “Pokémon Go” has become a global phenomenon seemingly overnight, smashing records as one of the fastest growing and most downloaded applications in history. Through the game’s clever use of GPS and augmented reality, players can now live out their fantasies of finding and catching the iconic digital monsters in the real world. Unfortunately, like most fun things, it is not without its dangers.
The game’s addicting quality and push to “catch ‘em all” has caused Pokémon Go to be the latest form of distracted driving, contributing to numerous collisions throughout the United States. On July 12th, 2016, a 28-year-old Auburn, NY man totaled his car when he swerved into a tree while attempting to catch Pokémon while behind the wheel. Just eight days later, a distracted Pokémon player slammed into the back of a Baltimore police officer’s vehicle.
Drivers who take their eyes of the road in order to attempt to catch Pokémon can easily miss nearby hazards, causing them to strike nearby vehicles, pedestrians, and objects. If you or your children are playing Pokémon Go, it is imperative you consider the following safety tips:
- Never, under any circumstances, play while driving. No Pokémon is worth risking your life to catch.
- Always be aware of your surroundings.
- See a distracted driver? Call the police. You could be saving someone’s life!
Injured? Contact the Law Offices of Steven A. Fabbro
If you have been injured in a crash caused by a distracted Pokémon Go player, the Modesto car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Steven A. Fabbro can fight for compensation on your behalf. Having recovered more than $350 million for our clients, we have the knowledge and experience you need to maximize your potential recovery.
Find out more about how we can assist you during a no-cost case review.