The NY Daily News reports:
A California woman is suing Google after she was hit by a car while following directions provided by Google Maps on her cell phone, according to AOL News.
Lauren Rosenberg says that the Google Maps BlackBerry application told her to use Deer Valley Drive — a highway also called Utah State Route 224 — to walk from one Park City address to another.
However, the directions did not tell her that there were no sidewalks along Deer Valley Drive, which, Rosenberg alleges, led to her being struck by traffic.
“As a direct and proximate cause of Defendant Google’s careless, reckless and negligent providing of unsafe directions, Plaintiff Lauren Rosenberg was led onto a dangerous highway, and was thereby stricken by a motor vehicle, causing her to suffer severe permanent physical, emotional and mental injuries,” according to the complaint filed in Park County district court.
Rosenberg is asking for Google to pay her medical expenses in addition to punitive damages and loss of earnings. She is also suing the driver of the vehicle, Patrick Harwood of Park City.
Google Maps warns users about walking directions on its version for computers, saying that “Walking directions are in beta. Use caution — This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths.” However, the mobile version of Google Maps does not come with the warning.
(Source: NY Daily News)
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8 Responses
Actually Google Maps for mobile also says to use caution. But perhaps the driver can sue the map for not warning that a person might be walking there!
Really, she can now get a summons for being on the highway while using a hand held device. Also, she is unregistered as a vehicle!
I can’t argue about the mental issues.
Nobody should rely just on Google Maps. It can’t even find my own house!
Welcome to the “U.S.A” = U Sue Anyone!
Talk about frivolous lawsuits. The judge should throw the case out along with the plaintiff. I will tell you that if you find ANY mistake with google maps, email them and they will change it. I’ve done it a number of times and the changes are made within 1-2 weeks! They even send a nice thank you email!
Her legal claim is quite dubious, and will probably lose. Of course, California juries are known for their dubiousness as well.
there should be a steep penalty involved in filing a frivolous suit as a deterent
Mark Levin
Moshiach must be close. We are in total agreement again.