Google Faces Negligence Lawsuit Over Fatal Accident Linked to Google Maps.
Paxton drowned in September last year after his jeep plunged off the bridge that had broken off nine years ago.
Google is currently facing a negligence lawsuit filed by the family of a North Carolina man, Philip Paxton, who tragically lost his life after driving his vehicle off a collapsed bridge while following directions provided by Google Maps.
The lawsuit, which was filed on Tuesday, asserts that multiple individuals had informed Google Maps about the bridge collapse in the years leading up to Paxton’s fatal accident. These concerned individuals had urged Google to update its route information to avoid such dangerous situations.
The Incident
Philip Paxton, a medical device salesman and father of two, met with a tragic fate in September of the previous year. After attending a camping-themed party for his daughter at a friend’s home in Hickory, North Carolina, Paxton embarked on the journey back home. Notably, he was unfamiliar with the area and had never visited the house before that day.
As Paxton set out on his approximately 10-minute drive home, he relied on Google Maps for directions. Unfortunately, he was unaware that the route included a collapsed bridge, which had occurred nine years prior. In the darkness of the night, with no artificial lighting on the bridge, Paxton’s vehicle tragically went off the unguarded edge, crashing approximately twenty feet below.
First responders discovered Paxton’s overturned jeep partially submerged in a creek.
The Lawsuit Details
The lawsuit cites evidence from Kim Ellis, a Hickory resident, who had submitted two “suggest an edit” notifications to Google Maps regarding the bridge’s dangerous conditions. In November 2020, Google acknowledged receipt of her report and claimed to be reviewing the suggestion. However, no substantial action was taken to rectify the situation, according to the lawsuit.
Jose Castaneda, a Google spokesperson, expressed condolences to the Paxton family and stated that Google’s aim is to provide accurate routing information in Google Maps. He also mentioned that they are reviewing the lawsuit.
Previous Incidents Involving Google Maps: This incident is not the first time Google Maps has faced criticism for directing users into potentially hazardous situations. In the past, there have been instances where users were led astray, causing accidents or getting stranded.
- In a recent case, a woman in Australia following Google Maps ended up stranded in the desert instead of reaching her intended destination, leading to a night of hardship.
- In 2021, a couple in Oregon got stuck in the snow on an unmaintained road, following Google Maps.
- In 2019, hundreds of drivers in Colorado were directed by Google Maps onto a muddy dirt road, causing a traffic jam and accidents.
These incidents raise concerns about the accuracy and safety of navigation apps, prompting calls for improved mechanisms to address such issues and enhance user safety.
SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES
