Wallace Miller is investigating reports that the popular motorized skateboard, Onewheel, contains an alleged defect that may result in serious injury. If you have been harmed while operating this device, you may have cause to file a Onewheel injury lawsuit. Contact our firm today to learn if you qualify.
Since arriving on the market in 2015, the Onewheel line of motorized skateboards has been marketed as a fun and reliable product for teens and adults. But despite manufacturer Future Motion’s claims that the Onewheel is safe and “probably the easiest boardsport in the world,” several reports of injury and multiple wrongful death lawsuits have been filed resulting from an alleged defect in the device.
Consumers are alleging that both the Onewheel Pint and the Onewheel XR contain a defect where the motorized board can experience an abrupt shutoff. Users who have experienced this sudden power loss claim to have been propelled forward into the ground, resulting in serious and sometimes life-threatening injuries.
One of the most high-profile of these injuries happened to actor James Van Der Beek, who required a trip to the ER and four stitches after falling from his Onewheel in late 2020. In an Instagram story from his hospital bed, the Dawson’s Creek star had this to say:
“I have a lot of fun with that thing, and it works great as long as the battery is above 10 percent. But when it’s not, it gives a tiny bit of resistance and then it just nosedives without warning and that’s when I went over the front of it.”
While Van Der Beek’s injuries were thankfully minor, many have not been so lucky. Numerous news outlets across the country have reported on serious injuries including broken bones, hemorrhagic contusions, and severe head trauma.
2020 was also the year the first wrongful death lawsuit was filed against Future Motion, alleging that the OneWheel was responsible for a New York consumer’s fatal injuries. Since then, numerous wrongful death and product liability lawsuits have been filed in Texas, Long Island, Florida, and California, to name a few.
Despite these lawsuits, Future Motion continues to downplay the risks associated with OneWheel. The company’s Frequently Asked Questions page touts the safety of the product, and claims that “anyone can ride OneWheel with a little instruction and practice.” The OneWheel is also recommended for riders as young as 14.
Wallace Miller is committed to defending our client’s rights and helping them seek justice from manufacturers of dangerous and defective products. If you or a loved one have been harmed due to this, you may be able to receive compensation. Contact an attorney today to discuss filing a Onewheel injury lawsuit.