Distracted walking does not receive the same attention as distracted driving, but it is a serious problem that appears to be growing. According to The Washington Post, distracted walking accidents have quadrupled in the past seven years. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that 1,152 people were injured while walking and using a cell phone or other electronic device in the last year alone. Many experts believe that statistic is well under the actual number of injury accidents that involved a distracted pedestrian.
The Washington Post report included recent examples of incidents that resulted in injuries. A 12-year-old boy was struck by a pickup truck while crossing the road as he was playing a video game. A 53-year-old woman suffered facial injuries after falling off a curb while texting and walking. Other examples include a woman walking into a telephone pole, a man falling into a ditch, and a 67-year-old man stepping into the path of a bicyclist.
Just as it is important for drivers to remain focused, it is equally important for pedestrians to watch where they are going. It only takes a moment of walking without looking for a pedestrian to step into traffic or cross a driveway as a car is backing up. All pedestrians should make it a habit to keep their phones in their pockets until they reach their destination.
The skilled Oklahoma City pedestrian injury lawyers at Maples Law Firm help injured victims of auto accidents get fair compensation for their suffering. We offer free consultations to anyone injured in a car accident. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free consultation.
