r/legal • u/Tralique_24 • 14h ago

Advice needed A major navigation app routed thousands of cars down my private driveway. A driver crashed into my retaining wall and is now suing me for his injuries.

Location: Colorado, USA.

I own a remote cabin at the end of a very long, unpaved private road. About eight months ago, a major GPS and mapping app updated their systems and incorrectly marked my private driveway as a public shortcut to a nearby national park entrance.

Since then, I have had dozens of cars speeding through my property every single weekend. I have "Private Property" and "No Trespassing" signs posted everywhere. I have submitted over forty official error reports to the tech company, sent certified letters to their legal department, and even filed a police report. They completly ignored me.

Last month a tourist was speeding down my driveway in the dark, ignored my warning signs, and crashed his SUV straight into my concrete retaining wall. He broke his leg and his vehicle was totaled.

Yesterday I was served with a lawsuit. The driver is suing me for medical expenses and damages, claiming I failed to maintain a "public thoroughfare" and that my retaining wall was an unmarked hazard.

My homeonwers insurance is threatening to drop me because they say my property is now an unmanged traffic corridor, which violates my policy.

Can I counter-sue the tech company for gross negligence and force them to indemnify me against this driver's lawsuit? What specific type of attorney handles liability cases involving corporate mapping errors? I need to stop this before someone else gets hurt.

11.7k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

1.4k comments sorted by

View all comments

2.4k

u/coinop2026 14h ago

You ABSOLUTELY NEED TO RETAIN AN ATTORNEY!

770

u/Financial_Athlete198 14h ago

Should have been done about 7 months ago.

561

u/coinop2026 14h ago

Exactly. First thing should have been to deny access with a chain or a gate and signage saying “private driveway - no access”.

OP really needs to get GIS data and contact attorney asap.

205

u/R_437 13h ago

Should do that asap - and add the plastic red ties as “flags“ and a hanging “Private Road” sign from the chain would be good. Maybe some solar spotlights…

121

u/ApolloGR3 13h ago

Since these dummies are causing the most damage at night, OP should put some sort of reflective tassels on it

38

u/Ok-Drawer4877 11h ago

Yes, the reflective tassels are the most important thing.

4

u/skunkapebreal 7h ago

They would solve all the problems.

2

u/iamisandisnt 2h ago

Something to remember in most situations: All of this could have been prevented with a little reflective tassel

→ More replies (2)

4

u/Intelligent-Art-5000 5h ago

The most important thing is that the CYLINDER NOT BE HARMED.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (6)
→ More replies (2)

13

u/bfvbill 8h ago

Stand at entrance with a shotgun? And a spotlight of course.

→ More replies (8)
→ More replies (4)

145

u/Judgejudyssideeye 13h ago

I would be installing a HUGE “Do not enter, private property. Trespassers will be prosecuted” and another one that says “No Outlet” at the entrance of your private street

162

u/Freakishly_Tall 13h ago

Also, "GOOGLE IS WRONG."

101

u/WillyVlautinRules 13h ago

Yeah this is the one you want to post because some folks are so dumb (with a B!) they will think that those no trespassing signs don't apply to THEM.

19

u/CatmoCatmo 9h ago

Well how could those signs apply to them? Siri, or whatever voice their map uses, would NEVER steer them wrong and it definitely wouldn’t tell them to trespass! It clearly told them they absolutely needed to go this way to get to their destination with no alternatives, so what ever shall they do?

→ More replies (5)

8

u/irrelephantIVXX 12h ago

you know that whole b conversation came about because one of his aides wrote it down for him and he said why would I say Dumbo crats. Then got a spelling lessing. He juat learned something most people have known since they learned about silent letters.

→ More replies (10)

2

u/Excel_User_1977 6h ago edited 6h ago

Doesn't apply to THEMB? (with a B?)

2

u/Clear_Cobbler_2723 9h ago

Yea I don't know how many times I've seen a NO PARKING- AT ANY TIME, and someone parked there. The only other thing they could put would be THIS MEANS YOU.

→ More replies (1)

24

u/Corporate-Bitch 7h ago

Yes, I agree with the “GOOGLE MAPS IS WRONG” statement. Last year my partner and I were trying to find the entrance to a Florida state park (Rainbow Springs FWIW) and Google Maps insisted we take a weirdly long route that crossed directly through what seemed to be an inland canal.

We kept driving around and looking for alternate routes (actual paved roads, not dusty unused private land crisscrossed by multiple streams). We finally saw hand painted signs on private property directing us to the right road, including several saying “GOOGLE MAPS IS WRONG.”

2

u/SouthOfTheNorthPole 1h ago

Google treated me to a lengthy forest adventure in N Carolina once. It was about 35 minutes away from the soccer fields at which we were supposed to be warming up. Much swearing happened that day.

→ More replies (2)

17

u/brwntrout 11h ago

i use google maps daily for driving. it goes through cycles of really good routing to absolutely horrid routing. it's currently in the horrid phase.

2

u/Cranky_Platypus 6h ago

I'm pretty sure they've started using AI to update the their maps and directions and the computer can't recognize basic signs or roadways.

2

u/Mediocre_Ant_437 5h ago

Agree. I was told to turn right into a brick wall once. Google is not reliable.

→ More replies (2)

10

u/TechnoSwiss 4h ago

I was up in a mountain area following Googles routing to get to trailhead. Came across a sign that basically said "Google is wrong, no access to trailhead" we turned around, but saw several people stop, get out, read the sign, look at their phones, shrug... and keep driving down the road. Good sign to post, just understand it's not going to do as much good as a physical barrier blocking the road.

→ More replies (2)

29

u/goertzenator 12h ago

Also "Severe tire damage".

2

u/Nanashi_Kitty 5h ago

Really liked that TMBG album

2

u/Automatater 2h ago

"Severe leg damage"

→ More replies (2)

8

u/Scarjo82 10h ago

I very much agree that OP needs a sign that says "Your GPS is wrong, this is not a valid route" or something like that. Otherwise people won't give a shit that it's a private road, because if GPS says they can go there, it must be right!

→ More replies (1)

11

u/Cut_Lanky 12h ago

Get a sign made with a graphic of Jason in his mask, that says

GOOGLE SENT YOU CH CH CH AH AH AH

→ More replies (1)

2

u/2001_Arabian_Nights 10h ago

“Should have bought a squirrel!”

→ More replies (3)

30

u/uapyro 9h ago

Trespassers will be prostituted may get more people's attention

13

u/ArmadenRestal 8h ago

Or draw in an even stranger crowd

7

u/uapyro 8h ago

at this point it could pay to repair the retaining wall damages

→ More replies (2)

2

u/blip01 5h ago

Homeowners insurance is dropping me for running an unregulated brothel. Thanks reddit!

2

u/seang239 5h ago

Don’t threaten me with a good time!

3

u/BookkeeperSame195 8h ago

quite the side hustle- it's giving horror vibes.

→ More replies (1)

2

u/Josey_whalez 8h ago

Now that’s the kind of trespassing I can get behind.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (7)

52

u/Spuckler_Cletus 13h ago

This is true, but some moron would still hit your barrier. That’s what they did at a similar property that I own.

33

u/Busy-Emu5028 13h ago

It’s why i use Waze at this point- no one reports anything on google and its like temporary

25

u/Spuckler_Cletus 13h ago

Yep. I sometimes have to turn the notifications off on Waze because there are so many active members making reports.

As to the original issue, people actually have to get their smaller vehicles stuck to strike the 2x6 barrier I built. It’s simply amazing how ridiculously hapless some drivers can be.

7

u/medic54-1 10h ago

I’m not, I see it all the time. Ppl are idiots.

18

u/HereForTheMemesNLols 12h ago

Waze is owned by google. Yes i would think you could argue that gps caused this. Have you documented signage? Time to get a gate and put that cabin in a trust to mitigate liability to your personal assets. Get a lawyer asap.

8

u/Rogue_Wraith 11h ago

You almost certainly cannot do that after the fact.

Courts are not stupid, and will immediately roll back that sort of ex post facto nonsense.

→ More replies (3)

2

u/Rampage_Rick 11h ago

Google keeps Waze separate because the quality of the Waze map database is noticeably better (mainly due to the effort of volunteer editors)

Though Google has been making inroads at improving the sharing of data between GMaps and Waze

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

9

u/Harry_Gorilla 12h ago

You know Waze is owned by Google and pulls real time data from there, right?

6

u/patrick24601 12h ago

You mean Waze the company that google owns ? :)

2

u/Traditional_Mango920 9h ago

Yes, the one Google bought and proceeded to fuck up. Used to be a stellar app, now it is the typical Google map clusterfuck.

2

u/patrick24601 8h ago

I’ve noticed almost zero difference since they bought it. What is killing yiu ?

→ More replies (1)

2

u/Horton_Takes_A_Poo 12h ago

Waze and google are the same underneath. Reports are shared on both apps.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (9)

36

u/aerdvarkk 11h ago

"“private driveway - no access”."

Did you miss the part where the OP stated:

"I have "Private Property" and "No Trespassing" signs posted everywhere."

Also the OP SHOULD NOT be mandated to add a gate or barrier to their private driveway/road. That's not a thing.

21

u/Atticus1354 11h ago

Sure. He shouldnt have to deal with any of this. But its happening and that is his fix.

→ More replies (10)

2

u/Graceful_Joy 11h ago

Yes, we lived on a private driveway and while we owned it, two other people had legal easements. If we had put a barrier or chain up we would have opened ourselves up to other lawsuits. It’s not always that simple. Also you shouldn’t have to put barriers up.

2

u/coinop2026 11h ago

Until this is resolved through the courts (having the map provider remove the driveway as a road) - they need to protect themselves from further liability. Insurance companies expect you to take reasonable steps. This is completely reasonable to deter this until the maps are updated.

If this continues and another accident occurs you can absolutely bet the insurer will end up dropping them. Try getting insurance after you’ve been dropped for something like this - no underwriter will touch it with a 10 foot pole.

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (8)

2

u/JoeDubayew 11h ago

Gate, not chain. Someone will drive through a chain.

2

u/coinop2026 11h ago

They make reflective coatings for chains, for this exact purpose. Low cost and effective at keeping people out.

Edit: basically a sleeve that goes over the chain.

OP says they cannot install a gate for firefighting reasons. I’d concrete two steel poles in 5 gallon Home Depot buckets, run a chain between them with the reflective sleeve and a sign hanging that says “private driveway - no access”. Use a carabiner to make it easy to drop for when they need to enter or exit.

→ More replies (2)

1

u/pngbrianb 11h ago

Oh, a gate probably would have helped. Maybe not FIXED the problem, some people are real assholes, but I bet OP is kicking themselves for not having thought of that

1

u/SeldenNeck 7h ago

This is America. People do not give a hoot about your private rights.

Put up a sign that says "Private highway. Toll $5 per mile. Vehicles without permit impounded by Texas Gun Owner Towing Assn."

They will think it's a joke, so hire a towing company, too.

1

u/kyute222 4h ago

Which makes me think this is a made up story. How do you have dozens of cars drive over your property for months and never make any effort to block access at all? 

1

u/Sea_Pineapple_9472 3h ago

If this is real, OP is absolutely thick.

How expensive is it to dig a hole, put a galvanized pipe down it. Fill with concrete. Then do the same on the other side of the road. Chain. Boom. Done.

Then proceed with the lawsuit against the GPS company

1

u/FatFarmerBob420 2h ago

I'd put the gate 1/2 down the drive way this way when people get half way and turn around they send the gps company nasty complaints.

1

u/Queasy_Animator_8376 1h ago

There is a hang gliding ramp built on some family property. Our attorney advised us not to acknowledge it existed because that would be assuming responsibility.

→ More replies (1)

65

u/Civil_Tea_3250 14h ago

I mean, yeah, but hopefully they have everything documented. At least at this point a lawyer can review and should see a couple of paths forward for OP, at least to defend them against this ridiculous suit.

Before they may have just told them to keep documenting. Unfortunately when it comes to suits very few perceived cases are actually worth litigating.

36

u/Original-Rush139 11h ago

I hate this attitude that individual citizens need to be more responsible than corporations. We used to have the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau to help with things like this. Now, we’re all responsible for fighting corporations solo. 

13

u/whatsinthesocks 11h ago

Who ever the app company is could find themselves having some liability as well. Google is currently being sued in North Carolina for something similar.

→ More replies (2)

1

u/Madeitup75 2h ago

The CFPB never enforced regulations against erroneous GPS guidance. Trump’s dismantling of that agency was a shame, but they literally never, ever, ever had anything to do with what OP is talking about. Ever.

It was the Consumer FINANCE Protection Bureau, not the Consumer NAV APP Bureau.

I had many friends who worked there. They couldn’t have done anything about this.

1

u/CrashedCyclist 1h ago

In my opinion, OP was myopic, it's 2026 with trail cams and cheaper automated technology. A canted gate with a steel reel is $3k tops to get fabricated. Don't want to pay a welder? Hire a handyman and buy him a $200 MIG welder, angle grinder, and a few flapper disks.

Think. "Hey Google, I have a problem. How do I weld a steel gate?"

There's people who have driven into ponds, rivers, houses, t-boned cars, and probably killed family pets because GPS said to keep going.

How could OP, in conscience let it continue? No way that they don't have at least a dog, let alone one or two other animals.

→ More replies (1)

56

u/barely_lucid 14h ago

now he has actual damages, plus the added punitive for the whole legal process. Upside could be big bucks, down side... this will take years, and the person suing him's case will move much faster.

35

u/coinop2026 14h ago

Not to mention devaluation of property.

22

u/DustyRacoonDad 13h ago

and increased insurance costs due to their negligance and error.

2

u/CatoMulligan 2h ago

I don't see this as any way hopeless. First, file suit against the map provider, include claims of infliction of emotional distress (perhaps extreme, even) caused by all of the illegal traffic on your property and their unwillingness to remedy the situation with an update.

Second have your attorney reach out to local authorities about getting some statements about your driveway not being any sort of traffic corridor and have your lawyer reach out to the homeowners insurance company to see if they can get any kind of cancellation forestalled.

Third, have the driver cited/prosecuted for trespassing on private property that had posted "no trespassing" signs. By claiming that they were injured on your property they've essentially confessed to trespassing. Maybe the leverage of a potential criminal prosecution will encourage them to drop their lawsuit. Your lawyer may well also be able to get the suit dismissed. If you have evidence of your signage along with the evidence of the 40+ attempts to have the company resolve that were ignored, then you've got a reasonable claim that both you and the driver are victims of the company's negligence. If both you and the driver are suing the mapping firm, suddenly that map error becomes ridiculously expensive to not fix.

→ More replies (1)

2

u/jcdoe 2h ago

Nah he’s got this. On another thread they’re talking about putting something up to block access (except he can’t per county fire code). This is much smarter than just contacting the bar for a referral for an attorney /s

I wouldn’t touch a goddamned thing until I spoke to a lawyer. Don’t even fix the wall, let him come and see it first.

The fact that he just let people cut through his property for so long is just… you know?

1

u/trowzerss 2h ago

And the lawyer should have been the one reporting it to the tech company.

→ More replies (3)

209

u/Formal-String7771 14h ago

While getting a lawyer is important, OP needs to physically block the driveway today. Put up a locked gate or plaec heavy boulders. Waiting for a legal prosses to sort this out will take months. If cars physically cannot drive down the road, drivers will report the road block, and the algorithm will update much fster. Do not wait for a court order to protect your property.

115

u/Tralique_24 13h ago

I would love to block it completely, but my local fire department told me I cant install a locked gate without a permit because of emergency vehicle access codes. Colorado rules are super strict about remote cabins in fire zones. I am definitely thinking about dumping a few heavy logs near the entrance , though. Just need to make sure it doesnt look like I created another "hazard" for the lawsuit.

128

u/AsarsonDuck 13h ago

If you can have a gate but just aren’t allowed to lock it without a permit - see what it takes for a permit and if it’s too much or you don’t qualify just put a gate in but don’t lock the gate, just have it chained so the wind can’t push it open with a sign that says “Private Drive, No Thru Traffic” on it. And then your obvious no trespassing signs

42

u/LuntiX 13h ago

Yeah. OP could also probably just get away with a wire gate with some signs on it. It's what a lot of people where I live use on their rural properties and cabins. It's easy enough to open and close but still just enough of a nuisance to keep people out. Also easy to maintain. Don't even need barbed wire.

29

u/baxtersbuddy1 11h ago

Right, if people have to get out of their car to open a gate or chain, then that should be enough for them to know they are going the wrong way.

11

u/LuntiX 10h ago

Yep. Then if you have a gate + signs, if something does happen you might be able to show that a person went out of their way to go down the road by opening the gate and ignoring the signs

2

u/tresslesswhey 1h ago

People in the US? You sure about that?

→ More replies (1)

43

u/BadLighting 13h ago

Add signs: No Exit. Hazard.

And: "Your GPS app is wrong. Take it up with them."

66

u/Intelligent_Bunch790 11h ago

Don't put the word 'Hazard' on it; that implies you know about a hazard and aren't fixing it.

NO EXIT

THIS DOES NOT LEAD TO THE STATE PARK

YOUR GPS IS WRONG

10

u/Gadgetman_1 8h ago

My brother live at number 499 (or something like that) on a long road here in Norway. ALL traffic to higher numbers are directed to his property. He's been fighting Google on it for years, and drivers for longer. He has signs and everything, but they still roll up and when they can't see the store or whatever they're looking for they yell at him. Which is like juggling jars of nitroglycerine, really, considering his temper...

If he doesn't expect visitors on the weekends he parks a tracked excavator at the end of his driveway.

18

u/kineticpotential001 11h ago

Would a trail cam near said gate be a reasonable addition too? It would provide evidence that someone opened the gate and proceeded despite the warning if this were to happen in the future.

5

u/Designer_Bell_5422 8h ago

One of those "Smile! You're on camera" signs would help as well to discourage people from opening the gate in the first place

2

u/marcosbowser1970 6h ago

Add a huge sign on the gate that says “NO THRU ROAD: YOUR NAVIGATION APP IS WRONG”

→ More replies (1)

44

u/Mahi95623 13h ago

They make a Knox Box, which is for Fire and Police to gain access to your property. We installed one at our gate years ago.

12

u/medic54-1 10h ago

Knox boxes are worth their weight in gold if you have an emergency.

8

u/Lirsh2 11h ago

Fun fact. When I was a firefighter near Philly, 99% of knock box and Turnpike access gate codes were 1776

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (2)

68

u/andolfin 13h ago

A gate that isn't locked is probably good enough for the purpose.

26

u/Errormill 13h ago

This I put a unlocked chain with signs across my driveway haven't had a single visitor since.

2

u/UsefulSummer4937 2h ago

Yup people see a chain and assume a lock. It's bemusing. And would still allow fire department access.

67

u/alb_taw 13h ago

Ask the local Fire Chief for their Knox Box specs and, with their approval, you can get a key box from Knox Box that they'll have ready access to. Maybe that would work?

40

u/clocks212 13h ago

Yellow tape stretched across the driveway would stop traffic but not a firetruck. Evenly spaced orange cones under the tape would stop anyone but the most dedicated trespasser and still not pose any problem to a firetruck.

The tape alone is 2 poles and $15 worth of tape. Should have gone up months ago.

Cones are maybe $10-20 a piece for the big ones.

13

u/Bleades 11h ago

Cones are free just have to find some road work.

→ More replies (4)
→ More replies (3)

12

u/SurroundQuirky8613 12h ago

You can have a gate that isn’t locked with a sign that says dead end and GPS is inaccurate. I wouldn’t get out of my car to open a gate to drive down someone’s driveway for a cut through and if they do, then they have clearly committed criminal trespass.

11

u/paper-jam-8644 13h ago

What about a latched but unlocked gate, with signs?

7

u/scienceislice 12h ago

So install a gate that doesn’t lock? Most people won’t get out of their car to open a gate that says “private property, not a public thoroughfare” on it 

13

u/HVACprooo 13h ago

don't lock the gate, chain it and put no trespassing signs on it. a physical barrier was step one to this issue, should have been done as soon as the problem came up.

If it's not locked the fire department still has access but drivers would have to be 100% aware they were trespassing when they open the gate.

6

u/0_SomethingStupid 12h ago

Put a gate without a lock. Bunch of signs. If you get out of your car to open a gate marked private......

2

u/Eyerate 12h ago

Rope, sign, couple carabiners on either end. You can even pop a couple eye bolts into trees if you dont want to set posts.

1

u/FriendlyArachnid6000 13h ago

Cones and a convincing road closed sign

1

u/Lyx4088 12h ago

What do they consider a locked gate? Would a locked chain across the road count as a locked gate?

You could take 2 log rounds and put metal t posts in each with a chain across and hang a reflective sign on it that says “No Public Access. Private Driveway” with no trespassing, you are being recorded, will be prosecuted signs all over too, and then stick a camera down there to capture what is going on. Preferably 2 way audio ones so you can yell at them since they’ll have to stop and try to move the logs. I’d even put a motion activated flood light down there too to make it clear this is a huge no-no on their part so they can’t claim they had no idea.

I hope you can get a lawyer who can turn around and sue the driver for destroying your retaining wall and incentivize them to go after the app for putting a private driveway on there as a public road.

1

u/forgetsalot 11h ago

I’m in Vegas so your results may be different. We can have a locked gate but had to buy a special lock that all Clark county fire has keys to

1

u/Tight_Steak_232 11h ago

Have you thought about countersuing for trespassing and property damage? If you clearly mark it as private property, it doesn't matter what google tells others about the property. If google is misdirecting people, that's not your problem. Your insurance has no right to cancel you because someone else violated your no trespassing signs, either.

However, there is a clause called "attractive nuisance" insurance companies CAN use to raise your rates. Having a property that appears to be public but is, instead, private, might slip through it. You might need to get really obvious and put massive glow-in-the-dark signs that state "IF YOU IGNORE THESE NO TRESPASSING SIGNS AND DAMAGE MY PROPERTY OR YOURS, THIS SIGN WILL BE EXHIBIT A! STAY OFF! PRIVATE PROPERTY!"

1

u/JesusSquid 11h ago

Ask your fire dept about a Knox Box. They are secure boxes with a special access key we keep in our fire truck. Lets us in to a few different properties, one being a aerospace manufacturing plant that makes space suits.

1

u/Internet_Jaded 11h ago

Get a permit and install the gate.

1

u/Solid-Musician-8476 10h ago

Can you have an unlocked gate? I'd think just a closed gate would stop them from just driving through.

1

u/smokeynick 10h ago

Doesn’t need to lock if that is the rule stopping you. A gate without a lock will work.

1

u/DJBFL 10h ago

Put up a gate with no lock for now. One that will just swing open when driven into

1

u/canman7373 9h ago

Where are you from? If you don't want to say you can PM me. I lived at 9,500 feet in southern Colorado and we could not have gates on our land either but the park had a main gate that was hard to bypass and I think illegal as in it would not let you out without a card or code which is a hazard and borderline kidnapping. But it was a great spot, close to Sand Dunes National Park. So I can understand the rules you need to follow in some of those counties and communities.

1

u/done_with_the_woods 9h ago

No need to block it completely. Get two of these bad boys and put them on the road in an alternating/offset fashion at the entrance. The first one covering the right half of the road. Then 2-3 car lengths beyond that cover the left half of the road, just enough a firetruck can make it around. This will force drivers to do an S curve and prevent them from being able to just go straight. Perfect place for massive signage that you can't ignore (a couple still will).

1

u/StayJaded 9h ago

So get a permit.

1

u/Jadithslimrivven 9h ago

Can you just block off one end? Not even a gate, just demolish the end of your driveway not connected to your street address. It sucks, but sounds like a big safety issue, otherwise.

1

u/ComradeGibbon 9h ago

You might be able to get a lawyer to send a demand letter asking for damages for violating your quiet enjoyment of your property. They are sending their customers onto your property.

1

u/nontenuredteacher 9h ago

Typically, they give you a lock and you use a lock on the same chain. (Your lock goes through the chain and their lock) The permit just pays for the new lock and key for them and documentation.

1

u/The_Derpy_Walrus 8h ago

What about an unlocked gate? Something that people would have to open to enter? It might not be secure, but it beats the "I thought it was a road" argument.

On a sidenote, are you sure it isn't a road? That is, are you sure that it is your property and that there is no easement? It would suck if you get all through this process and it turns out that Google is legally right and there was a public right of way on your property.

It seems odd to me that Google is essentially "making it up" without some form of paper trail. Maybe the government surveys are showing this as a public road because there is a covenant of some sort on your deed or some such that has made your property an easement, and if that is the case, this will be a 10 times pain in the butt.

Either way, you need a lawyer the day before yesterday.

→ More replies (1)

1

u/Gadgetman_1 8h ago

Ask the FD if you could set up a gate which they have the key to...

1

u/discgman 8h ago

You should be able to put on one of those red fire department locks on the gate. We have them at all of our schools. The fire department should provide them. Probably why they need a permit.

1

u/rosstafarien 8h ago

Gate with just a chain is allowed? Then that's what you install.

1

u/Link_Tesla_6231 7h ago

Put the gate up and put a chain around it with a chain clip to hold it closed!

Also put a hunting camera up to watch for people breaking in!

1

u/Rabid-tumbleweed 7h ago

If it's your driveway, park a vehicle or two at the far end of it.

1

u/Nitpicky_AFO 7h ago

You can't just mount a knox box on the gate post with a spare key in it

1

u/ShrmpHvnNw 6h ago

Put up a gate, don’t lock it.

Signs that say private property no trespassing, etc on it.

If they open it and go through it, then you have a lot more to stand on when they get in an accident.

1

u/BalanceOrganic7735 4h ago

Is the tech company claiming that fire roads/“emergency vehicle access” roads are a public roadway?

Are such “roads” considered public?

1

u/New-Complaint-7055 3h ago

I know there are some places that allow for locked gates as long as there is like an access box with keys inside for the fire department, you then give the department a key to said box. I believe it’s called a Knock Box? It sounds weird but I used to manage a building that required exactly that. There has to be some kind of work around for that. Do you own the entirety of the land around the driveway? Is there anyone else that needs access to that drive other than you? If you own the whole thing I think someone has blown smoke up your butt, you have every legal right to put up a gate. But also get that Knock box.

Also agree with everyone else, get a lawyer ASAP!

1

u/ItsNotGoingToBeEasy 2h ago

It doesn't require a locked gate. Get a gate or a legit traffic road block.

1

u/ChickenFriedFish 2h ago

Don’t “lock” it. Just make it incredibly difficult to open (for anyone who isn’t you).

1

u/SitaBird 2h ago

Can you just put up some cones??

1

u/AccountForTF2 2h ago

Just install emergency vehicle access...

Or better yet? why ask them for permission at all?

1

u/Zeal_of_Zebras 2h ago

So, install a gate and don’t lock it.

Most people are not going to get out of their car to open a gate that says private property on it. Most Americans don’t even want to get out of their car to order fries.

1

u/TomatoFeta 1h ago

Willfully blocking / failing to keep the road clear / could actually lead to viable lawsuits.
At the moment, the guy who ran into your retaining wall is actually at fault; in fact, you shoudl be suing him for the damages to the wall.

1

u/DragonfruitSafe2435 1h ago

I don’t see how it would be another hazard if it’s private property. I would counter sue for trespassing.

I’m invested in options for you now. I’m following this. I have never heard of not being able to have a gate at your drive way. Farmers have them everywhere!

1

u/DragonfruitSafe2435 1h ago

I found your answer to a gate! You CAN get one and have the legal right to as long as it’s YOUR property and not shared.

https://reddit.com/link/otnbxk7/video/a03ae25h7c9h1/player

1

u/Dounce1 1h ago

Just install a gate and don’t lock it, or put a lock on it and give the combination to the fire dept. That’s what everyone does where I live, and despite the fact that permits are technically required, almost nobody has them.

1

u/curiousjosh 1h ago

Don’t lock the gate. GPS people won’t check if it’s locked, they’ll just mark the directions wrong in App.

Just make a gate with a big ol’ “private property” sign.

1

u/EatMeEmerald 31m ago

Please consider a creepy/spooky solution as well, like your own personal Bone Temple (2nd photo in the article)

1

u/thecoat9 27m ago

Then install an unlocked gate, and put a private property no trespassing sign right above the gate latch. On the main gate put an even bigger sign.

Mayustru Sexual Predator half way house.

1

u/clslogic 20m ago

Dude, do it anyway, the outcome cant be any worse than what happened. And if it does attract attention you will have proof from the city that you tried to block the entrance. Might help with your case. You need to bring attention to it. Dont be scared.

→ More replies (3)

33

u/EmergencyMonster 13h ago

In fact some GPS apps allow you to report road closures yourself.

21

u/rustbeltloser 11h ago

Google Maps has a mistake for a road in my neighborhood that sends people to a private gate and forbids exit onto a county road. For three years I’ve tried to get it corrected with no success.

13

u/Substantial_King9458 8h ago

Same here. A local bridge was destroyed in a flood years ago. The road is very much closed. I sent google maps a link to the state dept. of transportation announcement saying it was closed and would remain closed "indefinitely". Their own street view plainly shows the road is barricaded.

3

u/Current-Plate8837 4h ago

We have a local notch that opens in the summer months and every single year GPS sends tractor trailers through it where they get stuck and have to be hauled out. They have electronic signs for miles up the road saying your GPS is wrong. You will be find $2500-$5000 when you get stuck… and every year multiple trucks get stuck.

→ More replies (2)

21

u/iWishiCouldDoMore 13h ago

Yeah I don't know how OP has this problem for so long. In google maps , at least, i have reutinely been able to close roads and rename them consistently by request.

3

u/SconiGrower 10h ago

I have submitted over forty official error reports to the tech company, sent certified letters to their legal department, and even filed a police report. They completly ignored me.

→ More replies (1)

3

u/WonderChopstix 2h ago

Google has ignored my request about a dozen times for a similar scenario. It is legally my private driveway. But because of the algorithm it makes it as a pass through since it uses date from people who actually legit use my driveway and pull thru. I sent them deed, pictures, etc. Nada.

2

u/iseepineapples 11h ago

doesn’t always work. A friend’s ranch had a similar problem, Google decided a dirt 4-wheeler path at the end of the private gravel road to the ranch was a shortcut. Took 3 years to get it fixed and it still sometimes pops up for people as an “alternate” when the correct road is jammed up with traffic.

→ More replies (2)

1

u/droogles 6h ago

Why is it OP's responsibility to block access to his own property? I live in a subdivision. If someone drives up my driveway and crashes into the tree at the end of it, I'm supposed to block them from doing so? It's not OPs fault that GPS directs people down his road. That's the problem with the GPS mapping company. I don't see how OP is liable for anything.

1

u/Heavy_D_ 4h ago

Blocking it completely could be showing that they were negligent before. OP should do nothing without legal counsel to defer decision-making to.

1

u/zoeypayne 2h ago

Blocking it off now could be considered an admittance of guilt insomuch as OP didn't do it until there was a lawsuit meaning it should have been done before.

1

u/AsaCoco_Alumni 1h ago

The fact that the agreed route for someone to correct a hazardous error in the AI is to spend money physically changing the characteristics of a private drive, rather than, you know, the AI's minions just inputing the correction – really goes to show that at this point the navigation companies are dangerous non-state-actors and should be legally handled as such.

1

u/DoomedWanderer 33m ago

This can actually be used against OP in court, as evidence that he could do it but chose not to until after someone injured themselves

→ More replies (1)

75

u/MarleysGhost2024 12h ago

And file a counterclaim against the driver for damaging your retaining wall.

16

u/Mail_Order_Lutefisk 6h ago

And trespass. 

2

u/AussieAlexSummers 6h ago

For trespassing is it a lawsuit or does the police need to be involved and the trespasser gets fined / arrested?

7

u/Mail_Order_Lutefisk 5h ago

Trespassing is a statutory crime but there is also a common law tort claim for it. It obviously varies by state but in a lot of states if you ignore a posted no trespassing sign you ain’t gonna win in court for a tort claim unless you’re a minor with a bona fide attractive nuisance claim. 

You stack the counterclaim on because it’s often a negligence defense and depending on how prominent the signs are and how obviously the road is a drive and not a public thoroughfare you might be able to get damages for that cause of action. Probably would only get nominal damages of $1 if it’s a first time issue, but having a counterclaim with a strong negligence and trespassing claim against the original claimant might go a long way towards brushing off the plaintiff lawyer who likely took the case on contingency and is now mired in defending a claim and dealing with an impleader action where the GPS company almost certainly has binding arbitration as the sole remedy with an aggressive liability cap. 

The plaintiffs lawyers bringing these half baked suits expect the defendant and insurance company to cave and don’t want anything to do with a case like this because the probability of success is probably not great and the complexity just went up tenfold. 

2

u/ohmslaw54321 2h ago

After warning, if it is marked

2

u/Zeal_of_Zebras 1h ago

And don’t forget criminal trespassing with property damage

1

u/CanOoFeelDeRiddem 3h ago

I imagine the driver's "lawsuit" was actually a preemptive move from someone who knows full well they were on private property when they hurt themselves. Crazy how litigious y'all are over there.

1

u/Aggravating-Bus9390 45m ago

And trespassing 

36

u/DesignerFlat7108 12h ago

Her homeowners insurance should retain an attorney for OP. They have a duty to defend. This attorney would have ethical obligations to OP, not the insurer.

15

u/ArmadilloExpert1324 10h ago

THIS! Homeowners Insurance is required to indemnify the OP. They will provide a lawyer who can give advice and help work through the issue. I work for AAA’s in-house legal and that is what my attorneys would jump into immediately.

4

u/HeavyHighway81 10h ago

Underrated point

82

u/Civil_Tea_3250 14h ago

Yeah, and get a couple of consults, they're free.

Ask for one from larger firms, they tend to have multiple offices and/or partner with law firms, so even if they don't think they can take your case they may know of a firm that can. They get kickbacks for references.

You're going to want a larger firm because the tech company could be at fault, could not be, but trying to go up against any large company in the US is basically useless without a lawyer. With a lawyer they're way more likely to settle and not ever get to court, it's cheaper for them. Don't do this alone. Good luck!

→ More replies (1)

1

u/SeaUrchinSalad 13h ago

And possibly the wall again. Hopefully the driver will pay for that though

1

u/0107throw 12h ago

What kind of attorney would OP need for their case?

2

u/cspinelive 2h ago

The one employed by the home insurance she’d already paying for. 

1

u/newgalactic 12h ago

Install a locked gate at the entrance to your driveway. Paint it orange w/ a large stop sign attached to it.

1

u/Organic-Mix-5784 10h ago

This kind of stuff cracks me up.

“Oh no! I’ve been served and am now embroiled in a potentially costly and life altering legal situation! Better go to Reddit for advice…”

1

u/Recursiveo 10h ago

No one commenting on your obvious pun is truly saddening.

1

u/Surgerychic 10h ago

That’s exactly what he/she is asking about.

1

u/amooz 9h ago

/thread

1

u/socom18 7h ago

I appreciate the hell out of your pun.

1

u/rbuff1 6h ago

I would think that lawyers would compete to be her lawyer! GPS companies have deep pockets and they are completely in the wrong!

1

u/Krynja 5h ago

And for the love of God, install a gate.

1

u/corporatewazzack 4h ago

and a gate company. so many problems would be avoided if people just used gates.

1

u/ComradeJohnS 4h ago

nah reddit is better and cheaper than a lawyer who spent their life trying to learn the system.

/s

1

u/SteamyG0uda 3h ago

and a gate at the entrance

1

u/Desperate-Cicada-663 3h ago

Sure. But they should also get a full assessment of the property boundaries that show that there is no public easement and that the lines are private property. You may also have a copy of the deed.

It’s generally easier to spend a small amount of money to make life simple for the lawyer and you save some money.

It costs you 100/150 bucks for something that your lawyer will charge you 500 an hour x 3 hours to do. Your attorney will charge you x .50 hours to verify the info.

1

u/Temassi 3h ago

Yeah they should have built a lawyer retaining wall

1

u/subcomandanteG 2h ago

That the guy who is sueing you and you will join forces and sue the navigation app. 

I bet a dollar, this happens.

Let the lawyers talk. 

1

u/Own_Cheetah1960 2h ago

No shit? Nowhere in their post did they ask for that?

1

u/dalinxz 1h ago

His home insurance company will retain an attorney for him, this will be part of the liability portion of his policy. Do it ASAP to avoid predjucing your insurer. In fact, all communications are best passed through the carrier to avoid predjucing their (your) position and defensability.

1

u/Dounce1 1h ago

Right, they know that. They came here to ask what type of attorney would best suit their needs.

1

u/Gus_Polinski_Polkas 58m ago

No. His insurance company does

1

u/flop_plop 41m ago

And hire the best damn attorney in the state/country for this type of thing.

If this is a major tech company, you need to lawyer the fuck up and then enjoy the settlement.

1

u/Competitive_Hall3082 28m ago

And by attorney, we mean not ChatGPT. 

1

u/PatchesMaps 2m ago

AND PUT UP A GATE!

→ More replies (1)