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Pedestrian Follows Google Map, Gets Run Over, Sues
Hugh Pickens writes "The Toronto Star reports that a Utah woman is suing Google for more than $100,000 in damages, claiming its maps function gave her walking directions that led her onto a major highway, where she was struck by a car. Lauren Rosenberg sought directions between two addresses in Utah about 3 kilometers apart and the top result suggested that she follow a busy rural highway for several hundred meters. The highway did not have sidewalks or any other pedestrian-friendly amenities, and Rosenberg was struck by a car. Rosenberg filed suit against both the driver of the car that struck her and Google, claiming both carried responsibility in her injury. Her lawyers claim Google is liable because it did not warn her that the route would not offer a safe place for a pedestrian to walk. Google has pointed out that the directions Rosenberg sought come with a warning of caution for pedestrians, but Rosenberg claims that she accessed the Maps function on her Blackberry mobile device, where it did not include the warning."
LOL! What a greedy AND stupid bitch.
Its important to determine if SHE filed suit or if her medical insurer filed suit on her behalf to recover costs.
I have never personally filed a lawsuit against anyone, but both my wife and I have, in separate accidents, had our cars hit by uninsured drivers (thankfully no injuries) and both times the insurance company filed suit on our behalf to recover the money they paid to repair / replace our cars using our collision policy. For the accident 7 years ago, it took like 3 years but they finally recovered all their costs and reimbursed us our deductible, and the other accident a couple months ago is still ongoing. I would expect automotive medical claims to work the same way...
"Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
Rosenberg claims that she accessed the Maps function on her Blackberry mobile device, where it did not include the warning.
Which is utter bull, I have google maps 3.2.1 on my blackberry and it certainly DOES warn you of dangers while following their directions. You also have to agree to a EULA when you launch it for the first time, which I imagine disclaims any liability.