A woman in North Carolina has filed a lawsuit against Google after her husband died in a car accident that she alleges was caused by the company’s Maps app. The lawsuit alleges that Google Maps directed her husband to drive onto a collapsed bridge, which led to his death.

The woman’s husband, Philip Paxson, was driving home from his daughter’s birthday party on a rainy night in September 2022 when the accident occurred. Paxson was following Google Maps directions, which led him to a bridge that had collapsed nearly a decade earlier. The bridge was unmarked and unbarricaded, and Paxson was unaware of the danger.

Paxson’s car drove off the collapsed bridge and fell into a creek below. Paxson drowned, and his wife, Alicia Paxson, was left to raise their two young daughters alone.

In her lawsuit, Alicia Paxson alleges that Google was negligent in failing to maintain its Maps app and ensuring that the directions it provided were accurate and safe. The lawsuit alleges that Google knew or should have known that the bridge was collapsed, but that it failed to update its Maps app to reflect that information.

The lawsuit also alleges that Google failed to take other reasonable steps to ensure that its Maps app was safe, such as by providing warnings to users about potential hazards. The lawsuit claims that Google’s negligence led to Paxson’s death, and that the company should be held liable for his wrongful death.

Google has denied any wrongdoing, and the case is still ongoing. However, the lawsuit has raised important questions about the safety of navigation apps and the responsibility of technology companies to ensure that their products are safe for users.

The outcome of this case could have important implications for both consumers and technology companies. If Google is found to be liable, it could set a precedent for other lawsuits against companies that provide navigation and mapping services. It could also lead to changes in the way that Google and other companies develop and maintain their mapping apps.

In the meantime, it is important for consumers to be aware of the potential dangers of relying on technology without question. It is always a good idea to double-check directions before following them, and to be aware of your surroundings when you are driving or walking.