Pokemon Go May Cause Car Wrecks and Pedestrian Injuries

You may have heard by now about Pokemon Go, a new smartphone game craze that’s taken the country by storm. The game involves tracking down and “catching” virtual monsters that appear on your phone in different locations. It’s so addictive, in fact, that many people get caught up staring at their phones and not paying attention to their surroundings. Already, there have been numerous reports of players tripping, falling, and crashing their cars because they are so distracted by the app, and sadly, more accidents are likely to occur in the future.

According to an article by People Magazine, one 22-year-old user twisted her ankle playing the game. Others have complained of falling off bicycles or stinging sunburn from staring at their phones. People have walked into traffic and even walked into traps, as there have already been reports of people using the app to lure victims and then rob them.

Here are some examples of what people are saying:

“Less than one day of having #PokemonGo and I already injured myself by tripping over a cinder block.”

“My brother just got in a car crash because he was playing PokemonGo…no one was hurt but the Squirtle got away.”

“Pokemon Go update: almost fell into a ditch trying to catch a Blastoise.”’

Pokemon Go Causes Car Wreck in Auburn

Just this week, an Auburn, NY man swerved into a tree and totaled his vehicle because he was trying to catch a Pokemon while he was driving his car at night. The 28-year-old driver did not suffer any serious injuries, but the same didn’t go for his car. Thankfully, there were no pedestrians around at the time of the crash.

The Auburn Police shared the following suggestions:

• Don’t use the app while driving a car or riding a bicycle
• Don’t trespass onto another person’s property when trying to “catch” a Pokemon
• Be aware of your surroundings when walking and don’t stare down at your phone
• Travel in groups in public/well lit locations
• Use caution when sharing your location information

(Photos: Auburn Police Department)

Personal Injury Lawyers in South Carolina

Pokemon Go is a huge phenomenon, with people spending millions of dollars on it every day. Unfortunately, it can be a dangerous distraction if users are not careful. We at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers remind you to use discretion when using Pokemon Go or other smartphone apps. NEVER use your smartphone while you are driving. If you have children, monitor how much time they spend playing and be sure that they do not wander into streets or other surroundings without paying attention. Your safety is more important than whether or not you “catch ‘em all.”

Injured? Contact George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers today to schedule your FREE personal injury consultation. Our South Carolina injury attorneys can be reached at (888) 612-7001.