Lawsuits have been filed in Texas after people were injured or died in nosedive accidents on the Onewheel, a battery-powered electric skateboard device that is allegedly prone to sudden stops.
Need a Texas Onewheel Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was injured or died in a Onewheel accident, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
UPDATE: OneWheel Linked to 4 Deaths, Future Motion Rejects Recall
In November 2022, Future Motion refused to recall all OneWheel electric skateboards after safety officials reported 4 deaths and numerous injuries.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to immediately stop using all Onewheels because it can suddenly stop while in motion (nosedive) or fail to balance the rider.
All 4 people who died suffered brain injuries, according to the CPSC. The other serious injuries include concussions, paralysis, upper-body fractures, lower-body fractures, and ligament damage.
The CPSC said it will continue to seek a recall. “Immediately stop using all Onewheel electric skateboards—they are not worth dying for.”
Onewheel GT Footpads Recalled After 11 Injuries Reported
In August 2022, Future Motion recalled about 20,500 front footpads for Onewheel GT electric skateboards after 11 injuries were reported.
There were 813 reports of the skateboards continuing to operate after the rider dismounted because the footpad can “fail to disengage after the rider has dismounted while the board is in motion.” The reported injuries include bruises, friction burns and a twisted ankle, according to Future Motion.
OneWheel GT electric skateboards with the recalled footpads were sold from March 2022 through June 2022 and authorized independent dealers nationwide from March 2022 through August 2022 for about $2,200.
What is Onewheel?
Onewheel is a battery-powered, single-wheeled, self-balancing transportation device. Itwas created by the company Future Motion and it was introduced in 2015 after a successful Kickstarter campaign.
How Does It Work?
Onewheel looks like a skateboard with a single tire in the center of the deck. A rider stands on the deck, with one foot on either side of the tire. The rider leans forward to make the Onewheel go forward, leans back to slow down, and stops by lifting their heel off the front footpad. Depending on the model, Onewheel can hit speeds up to 19 mph.
List of Onewheel Models
There are several models of Onewheel, including:
- Onewheel (original)
- Onewheel+
- Onewheel XR
- Onewheel GT
- Onewheel Pint
- Onewheel Pint X
What is the Problem?
Future Motion has been hit by multiple lawsuits involving people who tragically died while riding a Onewheel. These lawsuits claim that Onewheel is dangerously defective because it can suddenly power off and nosedive at high speeds, throwing a rider to the ground or in front of an oncoming vehicle, causing severe injuries or instant death.
Another Problem: Pushback Accidents on Onewheel
Onewheel has a maximum speed limit, and when a rider nears that speed, they will encounter a feature called “Pushback” that is supposed to gently lift the nose of the board up. But at high speeds, it can feel like a sudden shut-off, resulting in a dangerous nosedive. Many riders have reported falling off in this type of Onewheel accident.
Texas Onewheel Lawsuit Filed After Houston Man’s Death
One of the first Onewheel wrongful death lawsuits was filed against Future Motion by the family of a man from Houston, Texas, who died when his Onewheel suddenly stopped and threw him to the ground.
In May 2019, he was allegedly riding his Onewheel in a neighborhood park when it powered off due to a feature called “Pushback,” which was supposed to gently raise up the nose of the board when it was approaching the maximum speed.
Instead, the Onewheel abruptly shut off and nosedived. He was thrown face-first into the pavement at high speed, causing severe head trauma. He was airlifted to a local hospital for emergency surgery, but tragically died of severe brain injuries.
The lawsuit was filed by his wife and son against Future Motion Inc. on March 13, 2020 in Santa Cruz County Superior Court — Case Number 20CV00909
Future Motion Accused of Downplaying Risks of Riding Onewheel
Future Motion, a Silicon Valley tech startup, is accused of hyping the Onewheel, downplaying safety risks, and misleading consumers by claiming that the Onewheel is safe and easy to ride.
For example, even as the first lawsuits were filed, a website for Onewheel continued to advertise it with claims like “anyone can ride Onewheel with a little instruction and practice” and “Onewheel is packed with technology that actively helps to keep you balanced.”
Need a Onewheel Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.
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