Regardless of whether it is for work or play, we often spend several hours glued to our electronics – our computers, our televisions, our cell phones, etc. Fortunately, there are ways for us to wisely utilize our time while glued to our electronics, and one such way is to play Pokémon Go, a free mobile augmented reality game in which we journey to real-life places in order to catch and train Pokémon creatures.
Playing Pokémon Go has numerous benefits. For example, it encourages both adults and children alike to venture outside and meet new people, including other players. Nevertheless, playing this popular game also has numerous dangers. For instance, this popular game has led to auto accidents. Whether they are playing themselves or their passengers are playing, drivers often are distracted by the game, and distracted driving is a danger in and of itself. Reports of injured players have been increasing in the news as the game’s popularity increases.
What injuries do people sustain from playing Pokémon Go?
Pokémon Go players who have sustained injuries have reported a wide assortment of injuries, including broken bones, bruises and lacerations. Players who get into auto accidents may also be at risk of traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries as well. Fortunately, the reported injuries have proven nonfatal – but that doesn’t mean they don’t serve as a precursor to something more dangerous.
What can we do to minimize the dangers of playing Pokémon Go?
One thing we can do to minimize the dangers of playing Pokémon Go is to not play it at all, but that seems extremely unlikely at this point. A little common sense can go a long way to keep us safe. We should stay away from dark and secluded places, especially at night and when playing alone. We should end our pursuit of specific Pokémon if said specific Pokémon happen to reside in questionable locations, or if it will involve trespassing on private property; no Pikachu is worth fines and time in jail. We should always be mindful and fully aware of our surroundings and heed the game’s location warning that appears while the game is in the process of loading on our devices.
In order to avoid auto accidents, we should not play Pokémon Go – or any game that requires visual contact for that matter – and drive, just as we should not drink and drive. And we shouldn’t alter our driving habits to suit the needs of players: no stopping short, no sudden turns, and no creeping along slowly down busy roads and highways. In order to avoid sustaining injuries, we should remind ourselves constantly that Pokémon Go is merely a game, that it is nothing that warrants endangering our lives for, and that we should refrain from engaging in risky behavior while playing it.
If you were injured as a result of playing Pokémon Go or as a result of an auto accident, you may qualify for a legal claim. For more information, contact the Knoxville auto accident attorneys at Banks & Jones. Call us at 865-546-2141. We proudly serve Knoxville and other areas of the Volunteer State.
T. Scott knows the importance of interacting with colleagues to stay abreast of developments and changes in the legal world. T. Scott frequently teaches CLE courses on trial strategy, teaching other lawyers his methods for success in the courtroom, and is certified as a Rule 31 Mediator in the Tennessee Supreme Court. He is a member of the Knoxville Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the National Trial Lawyers, and both the Tennessee and American Associations for Justice.
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