A new product liability lawsuit filed against Future Motion Inc. alleges that the company failed to address potential defects in its Onewheel device that caused a deadly accident. According to a news release, the lawsuit was filed in Santa Cruz County Superior Court in Northern California says Future Motion should be held liable for the alleged defects that make the product inherently dangerous. The plaintiffs say the OneWheel gadget was responsible for the death of a Long Island man and poses a risk to other users. This is just one of a number of lawsuits filed after OneWheel accidents.
Deadly Incident
The lawsuit states the victim had been riding his Onewheel device in August 2020 along a flat paved section of a Long Island road when the device shut off and nosedived. This caused the man to fly off the board and hit the ground. The man suffered severe head and brain trauma, facial fractures, broken ribs, a broken right arm, and a punctured lung, which was caused by his forward ejection from the device and contact with the pavement.
He died from his injuries in September 2020. The lawsuit brings claims of negligence and strict liability for failing to choose a safer alternative design. It also accuses the company of downplaying the risks and allegedly misleading riders into believing Onewheel was safe, failing to warn consumers, and failing to recall or retrofit the device.
Onewheel is a self-balancing electric skateboard whose manufacturer is based in Northern California. Unlike the electric unicycle, the rider’s feet (and body) are typically pointed at a perpendicular angle to the wheel and direction of travel. The device is equipped with a “pushback” feature supposedly designed to alert riders that they are approaching the device’s limitations. However, the lawsuit states that the potential defects in the device could cause it to shut off without warning, nosedive, and eject riders from the board.
Product Liability Issues
Manufacturers are required to make products that are safe for consumers. When devices have inherent risks, manufacturers must warn consumers about these risks. If the devices pose a danger of serious injury or death, they must recall the devices and perform the necessary repairs or adjustments free of charge to consumers.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product – which is faulty because of a manufacturing defect or due to a defective design – you may be able to seek compensation for the injuries, damages, and losses caused. Injured victims may be able to seek damages, including medical expenses, lost income, permanent injuries, disabilities, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. An experienced product defect lawyer can advise victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options.
