GPS navigation feels like a modern miracle—guiding us down unfamiliar streets, helping us dodge traffic, and getting us where we need to go. But if a GPS error or distraction plays a role in a car accident, you need to know how to respond.
Can GPS Actually Cause a Crash?
Yes. Every year, hundreds of thousands of drivers are involved in accidents where a navigation device played a part. When you glance at a screen or fiddle with settings instead of watching the road, even a momentary lapse in attention can have big consequences.
What Situations Tend to Lead to GPS-Related Wrecks?
Typing or tapping takes your eyes and hands off driving, and by the time you look up, the traffic conditions around you may have changed. Other times, the GPS simply gets it wrong—directing drivers down roads that no longer exist, through construction zones without warning, or into dead ends. In extreme cases, people have followed faulty directions into bodies of water or remote wilderness.
How Do These Distractions Turn Into Collisions?
Navigation systems create three kinds of distraction:
- Visual (looking at the screen)
- Manual (touching the device)
- Mental (focusing on instructions instead of the road)
Even a few seconds of distraction at 25 miles per hour is enough to cover the length of four football fields.
Who Is Responsible When GPS Plays a Role?
Ultimately, drivers are responsible for the safe operation of their vehicles, even if the GPS told them to turn left into a one-way street. Courts have held that reasonable drivers should question directions that seem unsafe. In rare situations where the GPS device or its map data is clearly defective, manufacturers may share liability—but proving such fault usually requires expert testimony and technical evidence.
How Do You Show the GPS Was at Fault?
To link your accident to a GPS error, you will need concrete evidence. Download or preserve the device’s route history, take witness statements about what happened, and, when necessary, call in a GPS technology expert to explain why the guidance was misleading. Plus, if possible, show that other drivers have reported similar errors in the area.
What Compensation Can You Seek?
If you suffered an injury, you can pursue medical bills, therapy costs, and any long-term care you need. Lost wages for time off work are recoverable, and you can seek compensation for pain and suffering that resulted from the crash. Do not forget property damage—you can also include the costs of repairing and replacing your vehicle and personal items in your claim.
How Can You Avoid GPS-Related Accidents in the Future?
Before you start driving, input your destination, and use voice commands or ask a passenger to handle any adjustments. If you must change settings en route, pull over safely. Remember to treat GPS instructions as a helpful tool, not an absolute authority—always obey road signs, traffic laws, and use common sense before following electronic directions.
Get Legal Help With the Savannah Car Accident Lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC
If a GPS misstep led to your crash, the experienced Savannah car accident lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC are ready to stand by your side. Call us today at 478-254-2007 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation. Located in Macon, Georgia, we serve clients throughout the state.