The family of Philip Paxson, a resident of North Carolina who tragically lost his life in a fatal car accident, has initiated legal action against Google.
According to the reports, they allege that Google’s outdated Maps application played a pivotal role in causing this devastating incident.
In this legal battle, the Paxson family from North Carolina is taking Google to court, holding the tech giant accountable for the untimely death of their beloved family member, Philip Paxson.
The lawsuit asserts that Google’s negligence in failing to update its Maps application, which erroneously guided Paxson onto a collapsed bridge, is at the heart of this tragic incident.
The incident unfolded in September 2022 when Philip Paxson, returning from his daughter’s ninth birthday celebration, found himself navigating unfamiliar terrain, relying solely on Google Maps for directions.
Unfamiliar with the area, he placed his trust in Google Maps to guide him safely back to his wife and daughters. However, as he cautiously drove through darkness and rain, he unwittingly followed outdated directions from the app, ultimately leading him to a bridge ominously known as the ‘Bridge to Nowhere.’
Tragically, he crashed through the remnants of the bridge and met an untimely demise in the cold waters of Snow Creek.
In response to these serious allegations, Google has acknowledged the lawsuit and stated that they are currently reviewing the case. The lawsuit has been filed in civil court in Wake County.
The family’s legal representatives, in their official statement, highlighted Philip Paxson’s reliance on Google Maps, believing it would safely guide him. The lawsuit also reveals that local residents had repeatedly alerted Google to update its maps following the bridge’s collapse in 2013.
Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that the entrance barriers to the bridge were missing due to vandalism, a fact reported by the Charlotte Observer. Alongside suing Google, the lawsuit targets three local companies, alleging their responsibility for maintaining the bridge.
