MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota. In the event of a traffic crash or emergency, every second counts. For years, our phones have been able to use GPS to track precisely where we are in the world. Now, that capability will be used to help locate you in the event of an emergency. According to Wired, the next iPhone upgrade will let emergency services know your exact location when you call. This will allow ambulances and emergency personnel to get to the scene of car accidents faster, possibly saving lives.
The upgrade isn’t as easy as it sounds. It involved upgrading the systems 911 operators use across the country. Until very recently, the emergency call system had been designed with landline phones in mind. Yet, these days, few of us still use a landline at all. We’ve been long overdue for an update. Thanks to the new upgrade, 911 services across the country can download the new location service for free.
In the past, billing addresses could be used by 911 services to determine a person’s home address. But, given the fact that people may start their cell service in one state and then move, their area code or address may not always match their current location. One of the big challenges 911 operators face involves locating the victims. In an accident, a caller may be panicked or hurt. It can be hard to discern where a person is, especially if the person had been driving or is confused about their location—or is simply unable to convey this information.
The FCC estimates that the iPhone update has the potential to save as many as 10,000 lives each year. That’s good news. According to CNN, when individuals have suffered a traumatic injury, say, in a car accident, victims’ survival rate is higher when emergency responders can get to the victim within the first 60 minutes. This is why hit and runs are so deadly. Victims can lose critical minutes due to another driver’s inaction.
The technology can help emergency responders get to crash victims faster. Yet, the technology has its limitations. If you don’t have an upgraded iPhone, you’ll still need to convey your location to 911 services verbally. The technology won’t impact people calling from landlines. According to CNN, 80% of emergency calls are made from mobile phones.
So, while our phones have been known to increase our risks of car accidents due to distracted driving, it is refreshing to see that mobile companies are looking for ways to use phones to save lives. That said, if you must make an emergency call, pull over. Don’t use your cell phone while driving.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a car accident in Minneapolis, Minnesota, reach out to the personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of Martin T. Montilino today. Our firm works closely with victims who have been hurt in car crashes. We may be able to help you seek damages for your lost wages, medical costs, and pain and suffering. Visit us at https://martinmontilino.com/ to learn more.
THE LAW OFFICE OF MARTIN T. MONTILINO, LLC
3109 Hennepin Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone: (612) 236-1320