Woman Hit by Car Sues Google Over Directions

(CBS/ AP)  A pedestrian who says she was injured by a motorist while following an online walking route has filed a lawsuit claiming Google Inc. supplied unsafe directions.

Lauren Rosenberg filed a lawsuit seeking more than $100,000 on Thursday. It also names a motorist she says hit her.

Rosenberg, a resident of Los Angeles County, says she used her phone in January to download walking directions from one end of Park City to the other.

Google Maps led her to walk on a busy road without sidewalks that was "not reasonably safe for pedestrians," according to the lawsuit filed by the Los Angeles County resident.

"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," the lawsuit states.

Rosenberg is seeking compensation for unspecified "severe" injuries and lost wages in addition to punitive damages. The lawsuit provided on further information on her age or residence.

Rosenberg couldn't be reached Tuesday. Her attorneys, Allen and Tyler Young of Provo, did not return messages.

Google spokeswoman Diana Adair did not return messages from The Associated Press.

The court papers didn't explain why Rosenberg walked along state Route 224 instead of choosing streets with sidewalks.

On its version for computers, Google Maps suggests one alternative for Rosenberg's route. It also highlights a disclaimer: "Use caution - This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths."

The mobile version of Google Maps, however, does not come with that warning.

The story was first reported by Danny Sullivan of Search Engine Land.

Read the complaint here

[rf35]

Jew...figures.

[CJ-Keith]

She is an idiot, use commen sense. I would toss the matter out of court and order her to take educational classes.

[suncat13]

Another case of someone being 'dumbed down' by technology.

[bcpats]

You can't fix stupid.


And there will always be a money-hungry, five-minutes-of -fame seeking lawyer to take on another frivolous lawsuit. Being in CA........ yup - - she stands a chance of getting rich for being stupid. However, the lawyer in Provo does his city or company no favor, just embarrassment and infamy.

[JustYourAverageReader]

May the judge force her to use birth control. The world already has an over-abundant supply of stupidity.

[krisd999-2009]

If I was on the jury, I would award legal fees from her and her extortionist lawyers to Google.It's too bad she wasn't killed...

[justsane-2009]

waste of oxygen...

[barbaram99]

The woman sould used common sence..The lady is fully sighted and she could not walk safely on the side of the road facing the the cars so that she could be seen..I have no pity for her..Google can't be blamed..

[jimatmadison]

I hope Utah is one of the states where the accused can receive legal fees for frivolous actions.

[ToolMangler1]

Excuse me lady, If you don't have common sense, then "DON'T" walk by your self 'anywhere. Google cannot cure stupidity. It can, however direct you to the nearest hosptal (if you have somebody to drive you there.)

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