Personal Injury and Technology: How Gadgets Can Cause Accidents
In the modern day, personal injury lawsuits have become far more common, yet this is relatively unknown due to how few cases reach the point of a trial. In fact, it is estimated that only 4-5% of personal injury cases reach trials as most come to settlement well ahead of that point. This is exactly why if you think you have been involved in a personal injury case you should contact an attorney as soon as possible – you may be leaving money on the table.
As technology has advanced in the 21st century, the potential causes for personal injury incidents have increased exponentially. Whether it’s a cell phone or a cutting-edge product, several different issues can result in a lawsuit. As humans have increased their reliance on technology, so too has a rise in personal injury incidents caused by these very devices.
Distracted Driving
While most people think of car accidents as being an insurance issue primarily, there are cases where insurance is not enough. Distracted driving accidents often end up as a personal injury case due to the component of negligence. Unfortunately, some people are so addicted to their devices that they continue to use them behind the wheel which leads to injury-causing wrecks.
Smartphones aren’t the only culprit though. The technology within vehicles has advanced as well and GPS-related accidents as well as semi-autonomous driving accidents have become more prevalent. Taking one’s eyes off the road for even a few seconds can be dangerous, and modern technology has made this temptation even stronger.
Slip and Fall Accidents
The second type of personal injury case seen more often today due to technology is a slip-and-fall accident case. Whether it’s cluttered environments due to the proliferation of electronic devices, distracted behavior from a passerby glued to their phone, virtual reality headsets leading people to take a wrong step, or even changes in work environments (such as standing desks), technology can lead to slips and falls.
This type of case is unique in that the legal aspects are a little more nuanced. Depending upon where the accident occurs, you may be able to hold an entity liable. For example, if you’re in the grocery store and the cables from their new self-checkout system are erroneously placed and lead you to fall and injure yourself, you may be able to hold the store itself liable. Ask yourself some of the following key questions for your personal injury consultation to get ahead of the curve:
- When and where did the accident occur?
- What caused the slip and fall?
- Were there any witnesses who can attest to what happened?
- Did you report the accident promptly to a manager or worker?
- What is the extent of the injuries you received?
While the closest associated to a slip and fall accident you may have in your mind is a wet floor sign at the grocery store, new technology will change how this type of personal injury case looks.
Product Liability and Defective Gadgets
The third personal injury category where technology is making a glaring difference is in product liability cases. This type of case occurs when a person is injured using a product of a manufacturer, distributor, or general seller during its normal intended use. These days, faulty chargers, malfunctioning appliances, and defective designs are among the most common causes of product liability issues.
As new technology right on the bleeding edge of its field has been released, it has opened up the door to defective tweaks that can cause injuries. While most companies require waivers to be signed or proof of acknowledgment that a product is in its beta, every once in a while a company forgets. When this happens and you are injured because a product hasn’t been properly vetted, you may be entitled to compensation.
Be aware, though, that sometimes personal liability or defective gadget cases can be difficult to win. This is because you need to prove you were using a product in its intended way when the incident occurred. With new products using previously unseen technologies, defining “the intended way” can be extremely challenging. Therefore, anytime you get a new product or use a new service harnessing cutting-edge technology, read the owner’s manual or guide to use right away to protect yourself from a legal standpoint.
Emerging Technologies and Personal Injury
Technology is advancing faster than ever before and it has revolutionized many fields in exciting ways. Self-driving cars are being unleashed on the streets of major cities such as San Francisco, drones are being used to film packed music festivals, and artificial intelligence is being integrated into a person’s day-to-day life for menial tasks. While all of these technologies are helpful, they are new, and certain aspects may still be unvetted.
After all, if you are in a car accident in a self-driving car that is caused by a glitch in the software of the vehicle, who are you to blame? The legal implications of new technologies being released today are expansive. Much research and regulation will be required to fully mitigate risks from technological advancements.
In the meantime, it’s important to educate yourself on the ins and outs of personal injury so that if something does occur, you know your next steps. Should you find yourself in a personal injury accident, be sure to document everything that occurred, get the information of any witnesses, and contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Reach out to a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case
Technology has brought about many wonderful advancements, but it also opens the door to causing personal injury through negligence. It’s important to always be aware of what you are using and the context in which you are using. To avoid allowing the very tool meant to ease your life from doing the opposite, be sure to have awareness at all times. If you have found yourself injured as a result of the negligence of another person using a device, reach out for a personal injury consultation as soon as possible.