There are numerous factors that lead to car accidents in San Diego. These include factors beyond human control. What happens when the car’s technology features start acting up, leading to a crash? Establishing the liability can be tough in such cases. Even the car’s GPS can malfunction at times. In San Diego, both tourists and locals rely a lot on technologies like GPS navigation. In such tricky situations, you must hire a capable car accident attorney.
A complicated, new field of personal injury law that combines classic traffic carelessness with product responsibility is presented by accidents brought on by GPS navigation errors. Legal liability frequently depends on demonstrating that the technology was the direct cause of the injury when a driver follows directions from a navigation app (such as Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps) that are inaccurate, out-of-date, or dangerous—such as a washed-out bridge, a closed road, or a pedestrian zone.
Strict user-agreement disclaimers that caution drivers to utilize the service “at their own risk” are navigated by attorneys when they assess whether the technology provider violated its duty of care.
Why do GPS problems take place?
Navigation apps aren’t always perfect, and they can develop glitches, too. Sometimes, such app mistakes can lead to serious consequences, including car crashes.
Numerous causes, including technological, atmospheric, and human-induced interference as well as environmental obstacles, can cause GPS issues. GPS signals are feeble when they arrive at Earth due to the satellites’ approximately 20,000-kilometer orbit, which makes them vulnerable to interference.
- One big reason behind GPS malfunctions is outdated map data. Due to construction changes, the GPS app may show outdated road condition data. Then it can lead you to a construction zone or barricade.
- In some cases, GPS apps cannot decide which side of a divided highway you’re on. It may direct you on the wrong way down a one-way street.
- Not all GPS apps can pick the safe routes. Some apps prioritize vehicle speed over safety and may direct users to roads with poor conditions or areas with poor visibility.
The main causes of GPS errors and malfunctions are listed below, categorized:
- Physical Barriers (Blockage of Signals)
The inability of the signal to reach the device is the most frequent cause of GPS problems.
Urban Canyons: Signals can be blocked or reflected by tall buildings in urban areas, a phenomenon called as “multipath errors,” which confuse the receiver and result in erroneous position data.
GPS signals cannot pass through dirt, metal, or concrete in tunnels or underground.
Natural Obstacles: Signals may be blocked or dispersed by mountains, deep valleys, and dense forests.
In-Vehicle Interference: A GPS device may not get a signal if it is placed within a metal container, like a car trunk or under a seat.
- Interference from the Environment and Atmosphere
Weather: Signals can be weakened or disrupted by strong thunderstorms and severe weather, but light rain is rarely a problem.
Atmospheric Conditions: Interference in the ionosphere and troposphere caused by solar activity, such as sunspots and solar flares, can lead to erroneous computations or signal loss.
- Problems with Devices and Software
Cold Start: It takes a few minutes for a GPS to download satellite data (almanac/ephemeris) when it is first turned on or after being idle for a long time. This can cause an initial, transient failure.
Low Battery: The GPS receiver may malfunction or be unable to sustain a consistent signal due to a low battery.
Outdated Firmware/Maps: Inaccurate navigation routes or poor signal processing can result from outdated map data or navigation apps.
Power Saving Mode: In order to conserve energy, cellphones’ battery-saving modes frequently disable or limit GPS receivers.
- Intentional Interference (Spoofing & Jamming)
Jamming: The legitimate signal may be blocked by devices that broadcast radio signals on the same frequency as GPS satellites. This is frequently employed to make it difficult to locate cars.
Spoofing: A more advanced technique in which a navigation system is tricked into displaying the incorrect location by sending louder, fake signals.
- Additional Elements
Poor Cellular Signal “Assisted GPS” (A-GPS) is used by many devices, particularly smartphones, to locate users more quickly. The phone can find it difficult to acquire a fast fix if its mobile data connection is weak.
Low-quality hardware GPS antennas that are cheap or broken may find it difficult to sustain a strong signal.
Faulty Installation: Poor performance might result from installing car tracking devices incorrectly, such as by positioning the antenna next to metal or in the incorrect orientation.
How Lawyers Evaluate and Develop Cases
To construct a case against a technology provider, lawyers combine technical research, expert testimony, and digital evidence:
Preservation of Digital Evidence: Lawyers respond quickly to protect data, such as Google Timeline, Waze history, or information from a car’s “black box” (event data recorder) that demonstrates the precise instructions the driver was given.
Forensic Analysis of Navigation History: To ascertain whether the route was actually caused by a system error rather than a driver error, experts examine the software’s logs, firmware issues, and map data.
Use of Accident Reconstruction Experts: Experts are hired to reconstruct the situation and assess whether a prudent driver would have recognized that the GPS was putting them in danger.
Establishing “Proximate Cause”: Plaintiffs must show that the GPS navigation error was a predictable cause of the collision rather than the driver’s carelessness, like disregarding obvious warnings.
Challenging a tech company on legal grounds
The reality is that GPS service providers are big technology players. You may feel unsure about taking legal steps against them. Also, in many cases, judges have sided with these entities. They protect themselves with detailed legal disclaimers and complex clauses that users do not read. Their lawyers will argue that GPS is ultimately a technology and that drivers have some responsibility for making their own safety decisions.
However, that doesn’t mean you have no options. Car accident attorneys in San Diego are seeking ways to take on GPS brands legally. For example, if the app directed you to a hazardous road and you didn’t pay attention, there’s nothing you can do. But if the error was subtle and not immediately apparent, you can get the upper hand.
A San Diego car accident attorney will also review the track record of GPS companies and look for prior quality and performance lapses. They can use those examples in court to build their case.
In some cases, GPS errors reach users too late. If the app suddenly guides you to make a sharp turn with only seconds of warning, you get an advantage. In this scenario, the inadequate warning time may lead to a crash.
Even the car maker can be liable for an integrated GPS malfunction. Inbuilt navigation systems have different liability standards than third-party apps.
Ace lawyers from consult with technology experts and do everything possible to preserve digital evidence. They also check their clients’ driving histories to determine whether they generally adhere to traffic norms.
Examples of GPS-Related Legal Action
Fallen Bridge Case: After a driver died, a family filed a lawsuit against Google, saying that the map app had instructed him to drive off a fallen bridge that had not been updated in the system, despite users having previously reported the danger.
India’s Wrongful Death: Following a 2024 incident in which a GPS-driven vehicle plunged into a river from an incomplete bridge, local public works officials and an unidentified Google Maps person were charged by the police.
Because GPS data can be wiped, victims must take immediate action to protect digital evidence. They should also obtain professional legal advice to help them traverse the “gray area” between human error and technological failure.
Final words
Challenging a technology company over GPS snags can be tough. However, veteran car accident lawyers seek ways to help their clients in such cases. You should look for reliable lawyers with a large and satisfied client base.
