Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
Numerous campaigns in recent years have warned drivers not to text and drive, and many motorists now realize that distracted driving is a leading cause of Miami car accidents. However, distractions can lead to accidents and injuries in many other situations – not just on the road.
In fact, according to articles in the Globe and Mail and the Wall Street Journal, experts are cautioning that injuries to children under the age of five are on the rise, and many experts blame cell phones and mobile devices, which can act as a distraction for parents. Some experts believe that more parents are multi-tasking, using mobile devices, and this distracts them from supervising children. Although there is no research to prove that mobile devices are to blame, there is some compelling anecdotal evidence that this is the case. Experts have suggested that there are many things that parents can do to avoid injuries caused by distracted parenting:
1) Be especially cautious when texting around toddlers, who need more supervision. Toddlers can easily get into problems within a few minutes of texting, while older children may have a better grasp of safety rules and basic skills. When taking care of babies and toddlers, the safest option is to put mobile devices away entirely.
2) Never text while supervising a potentially risky task – such as crossing the street or supervising children at a pool. It is one thing to send a text when taking care of older children in your own home. When using a mobile device by a pool or while crossing the street, though, you increase your risk of a Miami pedestrian accident or a Miami pool accident. These tasks require your full attention.
3) Rely on more than one adult to supervise children. Multiple sets of eyes are safer even if your mobile devices are switched off. Multiple adults supervising children also make it easier to prevent injuries.
4) Shut off mobile devices and text at set times a few times a day. Productivity experts agree that multitasking is not effective anyway, and checking messages and texts at a few set times a day ensures that most of the time you can focus on one task at a time, which is a much safer approach to most activities.
Mobile devices can be time-savers and can even provide a sense of safety by allowing you to contact help in an emergency. However, they can also be a distraction that can be dangerous for you and your children. To prevent Miami traffic accidents, avoid using mobile devices while driving. To avoid Miami bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents, avoid using mobile devices while bicycling and walking. Mobile devices may have become ubiquitous, but it is important to remember that they can be a dangerous distraction. When parenting, put them away entirely to focus on safety.
If your child has been injured and you think the injury may have been caused by a wrongful act or negligence, contact the Flaxman Law Group immediately to discuss your case with an established Miami personal injury attorney. The Flaxman Law Group can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-866-FLAXMAN (1-866-352-9626) or through an online form at the Flaxman Law Group website. Your initial consultation with the Flaxman Law Group costs nothing and comes with no obligation, so contact the law firm today.