The article describing the January, night-time "motorist vs. pedestrian crash" on Deer Valley Drive does not indicate the extent of Ms. Sullivan's injuries or whether any citations were issued. Her suit is also directed against the motorist who hit her. Deer Valley Dr. is also known as Utah State Route 224.
"A lawsuit filed in a Utah District Court last week accused Google of being "careless, reckless, and negligent" in supplying unsafe walking directions. Rosenberg's lawyer said: "We think there's enough fault to go around, but Google had some responsibility to direct people correctly or warn them."
"Danny Sullivan on Search Engine Land points out that Google Maps' walking directions, which are still in beta, clearly show a warning: "Use caution - This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths". He also says: "I suspect a court is going to find that despite getting bad directions from Google (or a gas station attendant, a local person or any source), people are also expected to use common sense."
Rosenberg's attorney noted that "she was in an area that she'd never been to before. It was pitch black. There were no street lights. She relied on Google that she'd cross there and go down to a sidewalk."
Correspondent's notes: See photo on Guardian article of roadway; more photos, Google directions and maps appear on Search Engine Land.
Thanks to Palo Alto Daily Post
Comments
Computers are never to
Computers are never to replace good judgment. If your GPS told you to drive over a bridge that was under construction, would you do it?
If suing anyone, sue Park City
Why does Park City have roads without sidewalks? Is it not the responsibility of the municipal government to provide for the safe mobility of citizens, first and foremost the pedestrians? Besides, it is rather silly to blame Google.
Cheers,
-Rob
Simply Ludicrous
I had read the original online article (not the one referenced here) about this obscene lawsuit before seeing it summarized here.
As an attorney I am offended that any member of the bar would file such a frivolous and absurd lawsuit against Google. Sure, sue the driver who hit you.
But Google did not force Ms. Rosenberg to take this route. She was solely responsible for stepping onto the highway. Nobody at Google pushed her into the road. I know it's hard times for attorneys these days, but please, give the world a break.
Daniel Lauber, AICP
Planner/Attorney
AICP President 2003-2005, 1992-1994
APA President 1985-1986
http://www.planningcommunications.com
Oh, fer the love of Pete
If the attorney hasn't any better sense, we'll have to rely on the judge to kick this one to the curb. The American public has become so repulsively enamored of the thought of easy wealth that a jury of this idiot's peers will almost certainly rule in favor of stupidity and against Google.
We have sunk low. Can we ever recover?
GPS Stories and Hot Coffee.
I recall hearing several stories about hikers getting lost when the GPS came out for backpacking - folks thinking GPS could replace knowledge, experience or common sense. I don't recall anyone suing over their stupidity, however.
Not surprising, and to me not as bad as suing over hot coffee.
Best,
D