Sometimes you may find it amusing to think back to the days of yore when we left home without smartphones in our pockets (or more likely today, in the palms of our hands). This meant shutting the door and leaving phones and messages behind us until we got to the office or returned home later, often eager to hear what communications had accrued during the day. It is probably not lost on you, either, that without the constant chatter via calls and text, we had more down time—even if that was just on the commute to work.

Constant access to social media and news means that we may have little time off from screens, during the day or night. You may have friends or family who simply cannot ever look away. It may be difficult to get their attention at home, during meals, or even fun events away from home or work. And while that may be a source of frustration during more insulated moments, it becomes dangerous when combined with driving, walking, or even riding a motorcycle or bike in traffic.

Clearly, far too many motorists have an issue with distracted driving, allowing smartphone activities to eclipse responsible driving. They may be engaged in texting, talking, or even surfing the net. And while many consider that to be a safe activity ‘because they were at a red light’ or ‘stopped in traffic,’ it leads to a lack of focus that can be dangerous anytime a motorist is behind the wheel.

What about everyone participating in the flow of traffic though? Today, you may notice crowds of pedestrians walking with their heads down as they check out their phones. The question is no longer whether you can walk and chew gum at the same time, but whether you can walk and type. This behavior often continues for the entire time pedestrians in busy city areas are on crosswalks. You may even notice bicyclists engaged with their phones on and off, as well as motorcyclists. Because defensive behavior is so important in high traffic areas, distracted driving, distracted walking, and distracted riding all pose the potential for catastrophic injuries.

If you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligence of others, please call Heintz Law for a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys. We handle all types of Florida personal injury cases, and our law firm has established an impressive record of verdicts and settlements. If you have been seriously injured, call us now at 941-748-2916 or contact us online. We are here to help!