Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers: Pokémon GO Craze Threatens Public Safety

Pokémon GO is the latest location-based reality game, wherein players use their phone’s GPS to locate, capture, and train virtual creatures called Pokémon. The phenomenon has taken over as more and more people can be seen wandering the streets, malls, neighborhoods, and parks with their eyes glued to their phones. Unfortunately, users become so involved in the game that they often stop paying attention to their surroundings. As a result, concerns over public safety continue to grow as the number of game-related injuries continues to occur. Our Maryland car accident lawyers caution local drivers to pay closer attention to pedestrians who may be too fixated on their phones to know their surroundings.

Because the game involves capturing digital creatures at real locations, there is no way to control the environment or the people who are in the vicinity of those playing the game. According to a law professor at the Texas Tech University School of Law, Pokémon GO users are putting themselves at risk of being injured in an accident any time they are walking, biking, or driving because their attention is on the game and not on the road. For example, a man playing the game in upstate New York was so distracted by the game that he drove into a tree, suffering a broken ankle and leg lacerations.

Pedestrians are also at risk when they become so distracted by the game that they stop paying attention to their surroundings. In Western Pennsylvania, a 15-year-old girl was playing Pokémon GO and was hit by a car while crossing a busy highway. Thankfully, her injuries were not life threatening, but it is an example of what can happen when a game like this starts to affect public safety.

Disclaimers Do Not Stop Injuries

According to Niantic, the developer of Pokémon GO, users receive a pop up warning every time a user opens the app, which reminds players to be aware of their surroundings. However, Niantic included a disclaimer that protects them against liability if a player is injured while playing.

Maryland Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Pokémon GO Accidents

 If you or someone you know has been injured in connection with the Pokémon GO app, contact the Maryland car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible so that we may investigate the details of your case and pursue the financial compensation you deserve. We will ensure that you legal rights are protected every step of the way. For a free case review, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent people injured in rear-end collisions throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.