Protect Yourself as a Washington Pedestrian, Put the Cell Phone Away
Cell phones and smartphones provide consumers with access to all kinds of information and the ability to contact friends and loved ones at the push of a button. However, these have become major distractions for pedestrians, as many are paying more attention to what is happening on their phone’s screen than the dangers that are around them.
While the vast majority of pedestrian accidents are still caused by the negligent actions of drivers and other parties, pedestrians in Washington are starting to cause their own injuries due to the distraction of their phones.
What is So Distracting about Phones?
Today’s smartphones are chocked full of apps, each offering a new experience for users. While many may use these applications during their free time, pedestrians often engage with these while walking. Some may have practical applications while traveling, such as a GPS or information regarding your destination. Others are simply distractions, like the thousands of games available for download at any second of the day. Purchasing and downloading a new app may even be a distraction in and of itself.
Like drivers, pedestrians who are using apps or talking to others via phone call or text message are both visually and mentally distracted. By looking down at a phone, a person’s visual field is greatly shrunk, preventing him or her from seeing traffic and being fully aware of oncoming dangers or changing traffic signals. The mental distraction of speaking to someone causes a pedestrian to be much slower in processing the goings on around them. This slow reaction time may lead to dangerous incidents that cannot be prevented before a serious accident occurs.
Types of Distraction Accidents
“Distracted walking” has come to the forefront of attention by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and various other vehicle safety organizations. As such, numerous accidents that have resulted have been documented by these organizations. Accidents that have occurred due to distracted walking include the following:
- Crossing a street against a red light
- Walking into a turning vehicle
- Tripping over damaged sidewalks
- Colliding with poles, trees, and other commonplace items
- Moving into the path of bicyclists and other pedestrians
Any of these accidents can cause serious injuries for a pedestrian. Since these victims often do not see these accidents coming, they cannot prevent or lessen the severity of their potential injuries.
Seattle Attorneys Providing Protection for Injured Pedestrians
Those who have been injured due to the actions of reckless drivers while walking on the street have the right to seek compensation for their losses. However, the process is not always easy, with many insurance providers seeking to lower or completely deny needed compensation for victims. At Pendergast Law, our team of Washington pedestrian injury lawyers can assist you in proving fault, finding justice, and receiving needed compensation in order to move forward from your accident. If you or a loved one has been injured, do not delay in pursuing your legal options, call us today at 888-539-9211.