Nintendo’s new game, Pokémon Go, has only been available for about a week, but it has already caused numerous problems for players. Reports of people injuring themselves and being robbed came out within a few days of the game’s release. Now there’s a new danger: distracted drivers.
It really isn’t a surprise that some people play the game while driving. No matter how dangerous distracted driving is, people continue to use their phones for all kinds of things while driving: talking, texting, checking social media and playing games.
Car accidents caused by playing Pokémon Go
One of the first reports of a car accident involving Pokémon Go comes out of Auburn, New York. A 28-year-old man drove his car into a tree on July 12 while playing the game. He was lucky to suffer only minor injuries.
This will certainly be just one of hundreds of car accidents that involve Pokémon Go players. Driving while holding a phone in front of you is obviously extremely dangerous. Drivers who do this are not looking at the road or paying attention to traffic, pedestrians or their surroundings. They don’t have both hands on the steering wheel and they are not thinking about driving.
Unfortunately, like any type of distracted driving, these accidents will eventually cause serious injuries and death. If you are injured by a driver who is playing Pokémon Go, whether you are a passenger in that vehicle, are driving your car or are a pedestrian, you are most likely entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Seeking compensation for distracted driving injuries
You can hold distracted drivers accountable for injuries they cause. Injury victims can seek compensation for medical bills, damage to their vehicle, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If the negligent driver’s insurance company denies your claim or refuses to pay sufficient compensation, speak with an attorney. Many car accident victims need a lawyer to get the compensation they need to cover all of their losses.
