While technology continually helps us in a multitude of ways, tech can also cause accidents and injuries. In fact, some technology has increased the number of accidents that happen in certain settings.
By being informed about the ways in which technology can cause accidents, you can take precautions to help you stay safe.
Using Cell Phones While Driving
According to the National Safety Council, 1.6 million road crashes happen every year due to drivers using their cell phones. Out of those, 390,000 are caused by drivers texting while driving.
Any form of distracted driving can potentially lead to accidents occurring and cell phone usage is the number one cause of distracted driving.
To lower your risk of being injured in a car accident, simply never use your phone while driving. That includes texting, calling, and using your phone hands-free. You need to be completely focused on the road.
If you need to use your phone urgently or take an important call, pull over before you use your phone.
Wearing Headphones While Walking
Another leading cause of road accidents isn’t due to drivers but due to pedestrians. We’re talking about a certain breed of pedestrians in particular: those that wear headphones.
As headphone use in public places has steadily increased over the last decade or two, more and more pedestrians are finding they can’t hear when vehicles are approaching and ending up in accidents.
In fact, according to one report, between 2004 and 2011, 116 pedestrians wearing headphones were injured in accidents, and a staggering 70% died. Sadly, the majority of the victims were under the age of 30.
So, if you wear headphones in public places, make sure you take them off or mute the sound whenever you’re in areas where potential risks lie, such as when crossing roads.
Developing Nintendinitis and Wiiitis from Playing Video Games
Both screen time and using video game controllers are known to cause certain health problems. In recent years, there has been an increase in Nintendinitis and Wiiitis, which are actual medical terms for injuries caused by playing games on Nintendo Wii.
The terms are umbrella terms for a variety of injuries, including shoulder dislocations, head injuries, and bone fractures. If you play video games a lot, spend time researching what kinds of injuries and conditions you could develop and cut down on your gaming time.
Also, be aware that as technology develops, offline and online gaming could create other injuries and health conditions.
Buying Faulty or Defective Devices That Cause Fires, with the Manufacturer Potentially Liable
Today, we have more devices than ever before. But any kind of device has the potential to cause an injury.
While manufacturers have standards to follow, faulty or defective technological devices do end up on the market and cause people harm.
If you’re injured by a faulty or defective product, you have the right to claim compensation and hold the manufacturer, or the distributor, supplier, or another in the supply chain link, accountable.
Product liability claims require proof that the products caused the injuries, though. So, you will need to contact an experienced law firm like The Bruning Law Firm to ensure you have the opportunity to receive the best outcome and gain the compensation you deserve.
Using Phones During Lightning Strikes
Lastly, if you’re out and about when a storm hits and there’s lightning in the sky, don’t use your cell phone or another device.
Holding an electrical object means you could potentially be injured by a lightning strike.
It does happen.
One example is the case of a fifteen-year-old girl in London who used her phone in a park. Lightning hit and she went into cardiac arrest and later lost her hearing on the side she was holding the phone.