Government Agency Says to Stop Using Onewheel Skateboards Due to Defect Dangers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently warned Onewheel electric skateboard users to stop using these devices. The agency says that at least four people died of head trauma as a result of the product’s defects. As such, these devices can shut off suddenly while in motion or otherwise fail to operate as intended, throwing their riders off the board. 

The maker of the skateboard, Future Motion, refuses to issue a recall. However, consumers who faced injuries as a result of a defective Onewheel skateboard could file a lawsuit. 

Lawsuits Filed Against Onewheel for Fatal Injuries

The CPSC notes that at least four fatal Onewheel injury accidents have been reported. Several of the affected families have since brought wrongful death lawsuits. 

This includes fatal injury cases in:

  • Gypsum, Colorado: A man filed a lawsuit on May 17, 2022, in the U.S. District Court in Colorado after losing his father to a Onewheel accident. The father was thrown off the skateboard when it began to nosedive. The man suffered fatal brain injuries after striking the sidewalk. (VailDaily)
  • San Diego, California: In August 2020, a man riding around a San Diego neighborhood was violently thrown from a Onewheel board when the device abruptly shut off and took a nosedive. He was thrown to the pavement, suffering a traumatic brain injury and skull fractures. He survived in a coma for several weeks before passing away from his injuries. (Cision)

In these wrongful death lawsuits, plaintiffs argue that Future Motion was negligent in designing, manufacturing, and marketing these devices and that the company failed to adequately warn consumers of the known risks associated with these products. 

One of the device defects cited in these lawsuits is the Onewheel’s pushback feature. This was designed to alert riders when they’re going too fast, have a low battery, or are descending a steep incline. However, product liability lawsuit lawyers for the plaintiffs say that this feature interferes with the rider’s ability to balance on the board. It can also cause the board to nosedive or shut off.

Devices Affected By the CPSC Warning

As a result of these issues, the CPSC urges those who have a Onewheel skateboard to refrain from using and/or reselling the device. This warning extends to all Onewheel skateboard models, including:

  • Onewheel
  • Onewheel+ 
  • Onewheel+ XR
  • Onewheel Pint
  • Onewheel Pint X
  • and Onewheel GT

Future Motion Issues Recall for Footpads

While Future Motion has not yet issued full device recalls based on the defects named in the wrongful death lawsuits, the company has posted a recall of one of the parts this year. In August 2022, the company said that it was recalling the footpads of its Onewheel GT Electric Skateboards. 

When the rider steps off the board, some of these footpads may fail to disengage. The board then continues to operate, which can harm anyone in the surrounding area. (CPSC) 

Contact a Lawyer for Help With a Onewheel Injury Case

If you or a loved one was harmed or fatally injured because of a defective Onewheel device, you could be entitled to file a lawsuit. You can hold Future Motion responsible for the pain and losses associated with a defective product. Fill out a contact form on our website to get connected with a mass torts lawyer in our network.