Onewheel skateboards have been advertised as fun, safe, and compact transportation alternatives and can reach top speeds of up to 25 mph. Unfortunately, these unique skateboards have also become synonymous with the injuries, deaths, and nosedive crashes that have plagued riders since as early as 2019.
If you have been injured by an electric Onewheel skateboard, you might be eligible to file a Onewheel lawsuit for compensation. New information about the product’s safety has come to light following the Future Motion Onewheel recall. Onewheel electric skateboards have been linked to the deaths of four users from 2019 to 2021, as well as numerous serious injuries. Additional information suggests the company may have known about the dangerous malfunction at least as far back as November 2022, when the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) first issued a warning about the product.
Key Takeaways
- Onewheel electric skateboards can cause riders serious harm, such as fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and even death.
- A class action lawsuit has been filed against Future Motion, the company that manufactures and markets Onewheel skateboards.
- If you have been injured in a Onewheel accident, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation for your medical bills and other damages.
What is Onewheel?
Future Motion is an electric skateboard company that manufactures, markets, and sells its unique board design, the “Onewheel.” Onewheel self-balancing electric skateboards come in several different models and are capable of traveling from 16-25 mph across different types of terrain. They come with safety features such as brakes and “push back,” which slows the rider down automatically if they are going too fast or the device’s battery charge is low. Onewheel skateboards are similar to a Segway in terms of the technology they use to achieve balance but are steered by leaning left and right like a traditional skateboard, rather than using handlebars.
Are Onewheels Dangerous?
Unfortunately, as far back as 2019, Onewheel news has begun to pour in about rider deaths and injuries. The CPSC has pursued a recall since November 2022, after the deaths of four riders. The skateboards have been accused of failing to balance the rider as advertised, or suddenly stopping while in motion, even at high speeds. Riders have been ejected from their skateboards on asphalt as well as uneven terrain, even though Onewheel has been advertised as having the ability to “off-road” safely. The Onewheel GT has also been accused of having a malfunction that causes the board to continue to move even after the rier has dismounted, causing bruises and friction burns as well as additional hazards.
Onewheel Nosedive Accidents
Onewheel nosedive accidents can occur when the board’s motor is pushed past capacity and is no longer able to provide the power or speed to balance the rider in a forward lean. When the boards approach the limits of their capacity, such as going down a hill at speed, the push back feature activates. This tilts the board upwards slightly to slow the rider down and warn them that they are going too fast. However, in some cases, the push back feature has been known to shut off the board entirely, leading to riders being ejected as the board lurches suddenly downwards again.
Onewheel Injuries
The following injuries have been associated with Onewheel accidents, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Paralysis
- Fractures
- Ligament damage
- Friction burns
- Hemorrhaging
- Neck and shoulder injuries
- Punctured lung
- Death
Onewheel Recall
All Onewheel electric self-balancing skateboards have been recalled. Over 300,000 electric boards have been found unsafe for consumer use.
CPSC Onewheel Warning
As far back as November 2022, the CPSC released an official warning for riders of Onewheel skateboards urging them not to use or resell the product. CPSC evaluation revealed that the boards can eject riders and cause serious death or injury. The press release shared the deaths of four riders due to head trauma after accidents involving Onewheel boards. It also warns of injuries suffered by riders, including concussion, upper- and lower-body fractures, traumatic brain injury, paralysis, and ligament damage. At the time, Future Motion called the CPSC recall “unjustified and alarmist“, and fought back saying the boards were generally safe for use. The company has since cooperated with the voluntary recall.
CPSC evaluation revealed that the boards can eject riders and cause serious death or injury.
Recalled Onewheel Models
The Original Onewheel and Onewheel Plus should be discarded under the Future Motion recall. If you own of the these models, the company offers a $100 credit towards the purchase of a new Onewheel skateboard.
For newer designs, such as the Onewheel GT, Onewheel Pint X, Onewheel Pint, and Onewheel Plus XR, Future Motion has advertised a new firmware patch, which can be downloaded via the Onewheel app. The update will integrate a “haptic buzz” notification that riders should be able to hear and feel before the vehicle stops, slows down, or runs out of battery. Whether or not the new buzz will be sufficient warning for riders traveling at higher speeds remains to be seen, as the shutoff malfunction has yet to be addressed.
Future Motion Onewheel Lawsuit
A Onewheel class action lawsuit has been filed in order to consolidate injury claims and consumer harm. There are currently over 80 pending cases in the Onewheel injury multi-district litigation (MDL) against Future Motion. The cases in federal court have been consolidated by agreement into a class action lawsuit in the Northern District of California.
Who Can File a Onewheel Lawsuit?
Anyone who has been injured using a Onewheel board may be eligible to file a Onewheel skateboard lawsuit. If you have been harmed in a nosedive caused by a Onewheel malfunction, or otherwise suffered a crash that resulted in expenses and damage while using the board, contact the law office of Chiappetta Trial Lawyers today. Our injury lawyers can help you file your claim and ensure that your story is included in the Onewheel safety reckoning.
Onewheel Injury Compensation
Although no settlements have been made yet, a product liability lawsuit such as the Future Motion Onewheel lawsuit has the potential to provide plaintiffs with several different kinds of damages. Users may be able to win compensation for their medical bills and expenses, including ambulance rides, hospital visits, follow up care, prescription medication, as well as diagnostic testing and treatments. They may also be able to receive compensation for time off work and a percentage of lost wages due to injury, including any reduced ability to earn income in the future. Finally, Future Motion may be ordered to pay damages for users’ pain and suffering, emotional distress, as well as loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and loss from wrongful death claims.
Onewheel Lawsuit News
The MDL against Future Motion Inc. is still pending, but the first six trials that will be heard in litigation have been selected as of May 2024. Additionally, three bellwether trials have been proposed as of April 2024. These cases provide insight as to possible settlement amounts and jury trends. The three claims named are:
- Haggerty v. Future Motion, Inc., Cause No. 1:22-cv-00322-SEG
- Oatridge v. Future Motion, Inc., Cause No. 5:21-cv-09906-BLF
- Lopez Roman v. Future Motion, Inc., Cause No. 3:23-CV-10072-KMM
Injured in a Onewheel Nosedive Accident? Talk to a Product Liability Lawyer
If you have been harmed in a Onewheel accident or even lost a loved one, the office of Chiappetta Trial Lawyers is available today for a free consultation to evaluate your claim. Our product liability lawyers are experts in pursuing compensation for harmed Floridians when they have been injured by defective products. We can ensure that your claim is as strong as possible, that you have the best chance available to pursue compensation, and that your or your loved one’s experience is considered in the Onewheel lawsuit settlement. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.
