Pokemon Go Poses Dangers on the Roadway for New Yorkers

 New York State is warning people about the dangers of playing Pokemon Go while driving or even walking. According to a report on CBS New York, the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles said it is worried about the tragic real-world consequences of this new smart phone game, which has rapidly become a global craze. The biggest worry is the danger of distracted drivers who pose a danger to themselves and others on the roadway.

Hazards involving Pokemon Go
The Nintendo-based Pokemon Go is downloaded on to users’ smart phones. To play, users fire up the game and start going over to prominent local landmarks and other spots represented in the game as “Pokestops” where players can gather supplies such as Pokeballs. They can also catch game-based creatures at these locations. Since the game was released, there have been reports of numerous safety-related incidents, including those of individuals luring players to secluded spots and robbing or assaulting them. There have also been multiple instances of people playing the game while driving and causing rear-end and other types of crashes.
In Auburn, New York, a driver admitted he was playing Pokemon Go when his vehicle went off the road and crashed into a tree. Thankfully, he escaped with minor injuries. There have been other incidents where distracted motorists have struck pedestrians or other vehicles.
The game itself hasn’t helped. It has apparently induced people to post pictures of themselves on social media chasing creatures in all sorts of dangerous situations. The locations of some of the Pokemon creatures have appeared on car dashboards or at street intersections, putting drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians in grave danger. Even the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) sent a tweet to its 350,000 followers reminding riders to stand behind the yellow line while playing in the subway.
Driving While Distracted
Driving while playing Pokemon Go on a smart phone certainly amounts to distracted driving and negligence, not to mention extreme recklessness. The American Automobile Association (AAA) is urging drivers not to use Pokemon Go behind the wheel because it may lead to potentially deadly consequences. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that at least 3,000 deaths per year involve distracted driving.
Any time we take our eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or attention away from the act of driving, it amounts to distracted driving. A study sponsored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has shown that taking your eyes off the road for more than two seconds can double the risk of a crash. When driving at 55 mph, five seconds with eyes off the road is equivalent to driving the length of a football field with one’s eyes closed. AAA also states that distraction is a factor in nearly six out 10 moderate-to-severe teen crashes. In New York State, there are laws in place that prohibit texting or using a handheld cell phone while driving.
It is important that motorists don’t drive when they are playing Pokemon Go. In addition to facing arrest and citations, drivers playing Pokemon Go may also be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses they cause to victims.
If You Have Been Injured
If someone who has been playing Pokemon Go has negligently injured you, please understand that you have legal rights. You may be able to seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. If you have been injured in such an accident, be sure to file a police report, collect as much evidence from the scene as possible including photographs and contact information for eyewitnesses and get prompt medical attention and treatment.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a reckless driver or due to someone else’s negligent actions, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a man who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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Source: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/07/12/pokemon-app-distracted-players/