Phone Use While Walking Causes Most ER Visits
A study of federal hospital records links walking while using a phone to the largest share of phone-related injuries.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Accidents
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A study of roughly 1.8 million federal hospital records found that losing balance while walking and using a phone accounted for about 7,760 emergency room visits between 2021 and 2025. Distracted driving, falling down stairs, and walking into obstacles were also leading causes of phone-related injuries.
Why it matters
The findings show that everyday phone habits carry measurable physical risk, particularly for older adults, who were the most affected group. The data point to a common, avoidable source of serious harm.
The study analyzed about 1.8 million federal hospital records and identified roughly 7,760 ER visits tied to losing balance while walking and using a phone between 2021 and 2025. The source does not break down the injuries beyond noting head fractures were the most frequent.
The players
Calderon Law Firm
A law firm that published the study on phone-related injuries drawn from federal hospital records.
The details
Head fractures were the most frequently injured body part and injury type in these cases, and people 65 and older were the most affected group. Distracted driving, falling down stairs, and walking into obstacles also ranked among the leading causes of phone-related injuries.
Timeline
Injury data covers the period from 2021 to 2025.
The article reporting the study was published on November 2, 2026.
Big Picture
The findings extend the national focus on distracted driving to everyday pedestrian behavior, using federal hospital injury records as the evidence base. The study points to phone distraction on foot as a documented source of ER visits alongside the better-known risks of driving.
Pedestrians who look at a phone while walking, especially those 65 and older, face a documented risk of losing balance and falling. Keeping attention on the path and stopping before checking a screen can reduce that risk.
The takeaway
Staying aware of your surroundings while using a phone on foot can prevent falls and head injuries. The study suggests the habit carries more physical risk than many people assume.
Further reading
Explore more Accidents coverage for context on how everyday incidents lead to injuries.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Android Authority.
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Do you think you use your phone too often while walking?
