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We hear often about the dangers of texting and driving. But, have you heard about the danger of texting and walking? Texting and walking accounts for more injuries than those sustained from texting and driving, though texting and driving injuries remain more serious.
According to Healthline, texting and walking compromises your ability to pay attention to the path in front of you and identify hazards around you. This means that if you’re texting and walking near a street or road, you’ll be less likely to see oncoming cars or other hazards that could lead to accidents or personal injuries.
In the past, the people most likely to get hurt in pedestrian accidents were children, the elderly, and those under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Now, with the omnipresence of phones, the numbers of pedestrian accidents due to distractions is on the rise. After all, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of auto accidents, leading many states and cities to impose strict laws against the practice.
According to an Ohio State University study, between 2004 and 2010, cell-phone related injuries tripled. Younger adults were found most at risk.
Cell phones are not the only electronic devices that put people at risk of injury and death. According to a recent study performed by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, more people wearing headphones suffered more serious injuries and deaths in the last six years—with the numbers almost tripling. 89% of the accidents involving headphone users took place in cities and 55% were hit by trains.
Yet, when the accidents took place, they were more likely to result in death. Of the 116 accidents recorded, 70% of cases involved a death.
In many cases, individuals were warned about the accident, either through a siren, horn, or verbal warning, but they could not hear the warning due to the use of headphones. Headphone users have been found to pay less attention when crossing the street, making accidents more likely.
According to USAttorneys.com, walking while distracted puts you at a 1.5 times greater risk of getting into an accident.
Better technology may also be putting headphone users at greater risk. Noise cancelling headphones have improved over the years. Yet, eliminating noise while you are walking down the street in heavy traffic may not be the best idea.
When pedestrians are struck by a car, they are more likely to suffer life-altering or serious injuries. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident or were hurt in a car accident, it is important to contact a Boise or Nampa, Idaho personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. A personal injury lawyer can review your case and make sure that those who are responsible are held accountable.
The Law Office of Johnson & Lundgreen assist pedestrian victims and their families after an accident. Our firm can help you recover money to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You may only have a limited amount of time to seek a recovery. Contact us today to learn more.