Cobb County Cops on Lookout for Pokemon Go Players
Law enforcement agencies in Cobb County are on the lookout for people playing Pokemon Go, the new mobile game sensation, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The game requires players to travel to specific locations in order to collect Pokemon characters, which appear on their mobile device. They are watching for distracted drivers or pedestrians walking in the street. Police in Marietta have increased their patrols in response to safety concerns surrounding the game.
Mobile Game Causes Accidents
The game has already caused some problems in the area. CBS 46 News reports that a local man damaged a light pole while climbing it in pursuit of a virtual Pokemon character. The man did not suffer any personal injuries. The man was in Marietta Square during a Pokemon Go special event, along with several hundred others. In other parts of the country, the game has led to even more dangerous situations. Two men in Encinitas, California nearly died after falling off a cliff in pursuit of the virtual creatures. Last week, a man in Auburn caused an auto accident when he crashed his car into a tree while playing the game, according to USA Today.
Distracted Driving Leads to 1 in 5 Car Accidents
Any activity that requires you to use your phone can lead to distraction, and distraction leads to accidents. According to the National Safety Council, cell phone use is involved in about 26% of all car accidents in 2014. Research indicates that texting and talking are both equally distracting to drivers. According to the National Safety Council, cell phone use that leads to car accidents is probably underreported. Research from the National Highway Transit Safety Administration shows that common situations leading to auto-pedestrian accidents include distracted pedestrians and ones who enter traffic suddenly or against the light.
Georgia Law Holds Distracted Drivers Liable
The law in Georgia requires drivers to take reasonable care to prevent injury to others. If a driver is texting or using a mobile application on their phone that causes them to be distracted, they may be liable for negligence if an accident results. Even if the other person is partially at fault, the driver may be partly liable for injuries if the driver was distracted and failed to follow the rules of the road. For example, even if a pedestrian crosses against the light, a driver who is not paying attention because of their phone and hits the pedestrian may be liable for negligence.
Get Legal Advice
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, you will need legal advice immediately. Call an experienced car accident attorney at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter in Cobb County today and find out more about your options.