Niantic will be bringing back in-person Pokemon Go events to America in 2022. The company halted in-person events in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pokemon Go Fest Seattle will take place from July 22-24, 2022, making it the first American Go Fest since Go Fest 2019 in Chicago. That event hosted more than 60,000 players and Niantic hopes to host even more in the Emerald City.
The Seattle personal injury lawyers at Lerner and Rowe hope that everyone has a great time at Go Fest Seattle. Our team hopes that everyone catches copious amounts of shinies, perfects, and legendaries as they make friends with Pokemon Go players from all over the world. With tens of thousands of gamers expected to play in Seattle, the chances for Pokemon Go Fest injuries are high. Here are different injuries to look out for and how to avoid them.
Accidents That Can Lead to Pokemon Go Fest Injuries
There are many types of traffic accidents that can occur when thousands of people visit a city that they’re not familiar with. There are also injuries people can suffer as a result of being unprepared to walk dozens of miles. Thankfully, Lerner and Rowe’s Seattle injury lawyers have extensive experience representing people that have gotten into these accidents and have suffered these injuries. More importantly, our team can give you safety tips that will help you avoid Pokemon Go Fest injuries.
Be Mindful of Your Surroundings While Walking (or Scooting)
It’s completely understandable that you’re excited to participate in Pokemon Go Fest Seattle. You want to catch all the rare and event-exclusive Pokemon, make friends with fellow trainers, and enjoy everything the event has to offer. However, you’ll also be in a city with streets and traffic patterns you’re probably not familiar with. Players that aren’t mindful of their surroundings have a higher chance of getting into a pedestrian accident. Simple ways you can avoid getting into a pedestrian accident include:
- Walking with friends or other players as much as possible
- Always keeping an eye out for traffic
- Only crossing at designated crosswalks
- Taking your eyes off of the game while crossing the street
- Wearing bright clothing with high visibility
Keep in mind that half of the event takes place in Seattle Center park, which will be relatively safe from traffic accidents. However, the other half of the event takes place throughout downtown Seattle, which will be full of automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles.
Downtown Seattle also has abundant amounts of electric scooters for rent. While they can be an affordable and efficient way to make your way around the city, they can also be very dangerous, especially for those unfamiliar with Seattle traffic. If possible, stick to walking and leave the dockless scooters for the locals.
Beware of Distracted Drivers
Some people play Pokemon Go while driving even though this is not recommended. Unfortunately, this can lead to car accidents caused by distracted driving. As many of you know, distracted driving has been the fastest growing cause of car crashes over the last decade, largely due to mobile phone use.
If you’re crossing the street or walking through an area with heavy traffic then stop playing for a few seconds and keep your eyes on oncoming traffic. Spotting a distracted driver early can make the difference between avoiding an accident and suffering catastrophic Pokemon Go Fest injuries.
Slip and Fall Accidents Will Be Common During Go Fest
Pokemon trainers get to choose one day of Go Fest Seattle for special gameplay sessions that run from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Naturally, when you’re not playing you’ll need to eat, drink, catch up with friends, etc.. There’s a high probability that you’ll be doing so at a restaurant, coffeehouse or bar that’s new to you. Additionally, many eateries will be busier than usual due to Go Fest and may not clean up spills as quickly as they normally do. All of these factors add up to increase your chances of slipping and falling.
Whether it’s due to unfamiliarity or a soda spill that hasn’t been mopped, slip and fall accidents will be more common during Go Fest. Simple steps you can take to avoid these accidents include:
- Walking slowly
- Keeping an eye out for spills, loose cables, and uneven surfaces
- Wearing shoes with grippy soles
- Using hand rails and supports
- Reporting spills and dangerous conditions to premise owners
Stay Hydrated to Avoid Heat Illness
Although Washington summers are mild compared to many parts of America, the weather will still be in the 70s or 80s during Go Fest Seattle. Additionally, most people participating in the event will walk dozens of miles to “catch ‘em all.” This can lead to people being dehydrated and suffering from heat illness.
The good news is that it’s easy to avoid heat injuries. Some of the things you can do to avoid heat illness include:
- Drinking plenty of water throughout the day
- Wearing a cooling hat
- Wearing clothes that wick moisture away from your body
- Staying in the shade as much as possible
- Taking breaks from walking and catching to give your body time to cool down
While tens of thousands of people will be having a blast at Go Fest Seattle, the fun can end quickly if you don’t take the time to hydrate and stay cool. We totally understand the rush to get event-exclusive Pokemon like Buzzwole, but the mighty ultra beast is not worth suffering a heat injury over.
Suffer Any Pokemon Go Fest Injuries? Contact Lerner and Rowe.
The Seattle personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe hope that you have an incredible Pokemon Go Fest Seattle. We hope you catch all sorts of rare Pokemon and meet some cool trainers. Most importantly, we hope that you enjoy the event without getting into any accidents. Should you suffer any injuries caused by the recklessness or negligence of another party then contact us for immediate assistance.
Lerner and Rowe is available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can contact us by phone at 844-977-1900 or online through LiveChat. Our team can help make sure that you receive the medical attention you need while working on a case that will win you the highest settlement possible. Furthermore, our staff is committed to helping you carry the burden of your injuries so that you can focus on recovery. When you work with Lerner and Rowe, you can be assured of having high-quality legal representatives that are committed to winning you great results and treating you with the compassion you deserve.