Pokémon Go: Is catching them all really worth an accident?
By now, the Pokémon Go craze has spread almost everywhere in the nation, including Baltimore. While this popular game – which requires players to capture animated Pokémon characters projected on their cellphone screens amid the player’s actual surroundings – has coaxed countless kids and adults off the couch, it has also gotten several people injured. In fact, the internet is rife with stories of people walking into traffic, trees and even off rocky ledges as they try to catch Pokémon on their cellphones.
Sadly, it was only a matter of time until drivers started getting in on the act, as illustrated by a recent car accident involving a Pokémon Go player and a cop car. According to a report by USA Today – and supported by police body-camera video – the driver slammed his vehicle into a Baltimore Police cruiser while he was playing Pokémon Go. The driver’s response to police? “That’s what I get for playing this dumb— game.”
Unfortunately, this is merely one example of several accidents already caused by drivers who were too busy looking at their screens to pay attention the roads.
Cellphone laws are not stopping many drivers
Despite the fact that many states, including Maryland, have laws on the books that prohibit drivers from using handheld cellphones while their vehicles are in motion, many drivers continue to text and play games while behind the wheel – often causing severe car accidents in the process. The truth is that these drivers are not only putting themselves at risk, but everyone else on the road as well.
Even though some drivers will continue to engage in reckless behavior no matter the law, it is important to remember that legal recourse may be available should you or a loved one suffer an injury in an accident caused by one of these careless, distracted drivers. This is why you should always contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible after seeking medical treatment. An attorney can explain your rights and help you seek the compensation you deserve.
