Responding to recent crashes involving drivers who were playing Pokémon Go, AAA is cautioning motorists to put down their smart phones when they get behind the wheel. AAA is also warning pedestrians to pay attention to their surroundings.
Pokémon Go is a trendy new smartphone game in which users try to capture, train and battle Pokémon characters that appear on their screens in real-world locations.
Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak’s team of experienced South Bend auto accident attorneys strongly advise you against engaging in distractions, like Pokémon Go, while driving. This has shown to significantly increase the risk of auto accidents, and should be enjoyed in a safe and more appropriate environment.
Tips for Distracted Driving Prevention
Playing Pokémon Go while driving is the newest example of the dangerous trend of distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that a minimum of 3,000 fatalities each year are related to distracted driving.
Here are steps you can take to ensure you do not become a statistic:
- Leave your smartphone on the back seat
- Put your phone on silent
- Ask friends and family not to call or text you while you are behind the wheel
- If you have a passenger, permit them to make or answer phone calls for you
- Pull off on the side of road if you receive a call when driving
- Make phone calls while parked
- Carpool or use Uber if you must make calls on your commute
- Only passengers should play Pokémon Go while in a vehicle
Pokémon Go Car Accidents
Three car accidents involving drivers who were playing Pokémon Go happened in Texas, New York and Pennsylvania. At Texas A&M University, police reported that a driver had exited a car to catch a Pokémon when another motorist rear-ended the parked vehicle. In New York, a driver looked down at his phone to check on the game and then wrapped his car around a tree. There was another accident in Pittsburgh in which a teen was hit by a car while playing Pokémon Go and crossing a busy intersection.
If you suffered injuries in a car crash with a distracted driver, contact the personal injury lawyers at Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak right away. We will review your legal claim for free to help you find out if you are entitled to compensation.
Call us today at (574) 444-0741.
