Onewheel electric skateboards are facing multiple lawsuits after being linked to numerous serious injuries and Onewheel skateboard accidents, including thousands of severe injuries and even deaths. Riders have reported Onewheel skateboard injuries resulting from sudden power loss, leading to nosedive accidents, broken bones, and brain injuries. These lawsuits claim that Onewheel’s manufacturer, Future Motion, was aware of these safety defects but failed to address them, leading to a federal recall and growing lawsuits nationwide.
Dolman Law Group is handling Onewheel injury cases throughout the U.S in various state courts. Our firm is interested in investigating any potential claim against Onewheel. There is a Onewheel recall of over 300,000 boards that have been determined as unsafe for use by consumers. Further, there are several trial dates now in the Onewheel litigation, potentially leading to settlements in the not-too-distant future.
Onewheel Injury & Death Lawsuit
If you’re here, you’re probably already familiar with the Onewheel—the self-balancing electric skateboard made by Future Motion, Inc. It’s marketed as futuristic, fun, and freeing.
But for many riders and their families, it’s become the centerpiece of something far more devastating: a lawsuit over serious injuries and tragic deaths linked to sudden malfunctions.
Onewheel injury lawsuits and Onewheel skateboard lawsuits are being filed nationwide, as victims seek justice for injuries caused by defective or dangerous Onewheel self-balancing electric skateboards.
This page covers everything you need to know about the growing number of Onewheel lawsuits, who qualifies, what kind of compensation might be available, and how you can file a Onewheel lawsuit if you’ve been affected.
What is a Onewheel and Why Are People Filing Lawsuits?
The Onewheel is part of a category of one-wheel electric skateboards that use gyroscopic sensors to help riders balance and accelerate. Riders lean forward to move and backward to slow down. It is futuristic, exciting, and at one point, had a cult-like following. But it wasn’t long before users began reporting serious safety concerns.
The Onewheel's electric motor and sensors are designed to help maintain balance and control, but failures in these systems can leave riders unexpectedly off balance and at risk of injury.
The primary issue is a phenomenon riders refer to as the “nosedive.” This happens when the board suddenly cuts power mid-ride, often at higher speeds, causing the front to slam into the ground and eject the rider forward. The Onewheel purportedly senses speed and battery levels, and pushback purportedly alerts riders by elevating the nose when operational limits are reached, such as high speed or low battery. However, these features sometimes fail, resulting in sudden nosedives or abrupt stops.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), at least four deaths have occurred because of the Onewheel, and there have been literally countless injuries. The true number of severe injuries the malfunction in the Onewheel has caused is anyone's guess.
“I went over the front and shattered my wrist. One moment of instability, and it was over” said one Reddit user.
Another user on the thread was one of those people who, unfortunately, experienced the absolute worst that corporate greed has to offer.
“It just shut off mid-ride. My son is dead.”
These are not isolated incidents. These same stories and videos are everywhere on social media, like Instagram, Reddit, and TikTok. Just look at this video below and pay particular attention to the contact his head makes with the ground.
Onewheel Injury Lawsuit Overview
Lawsuits filed against Future Motion claim the company failed to design a safe product and didn’t properly warn users about the risks. Product liability lawsuits, including onewheel product liability lawsuits and class action lawsuits, have been filed against Future Motion.
Claims fall under product liability, wrongful death, and negligence. Plaintiffs argue the company knew, or should have known, that its devices were prone to dangerous malfunctions and failed to take proper corrective action.
Many of these cases are being consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL), with similar lawsuits pending in federal courts. The onewheel litigation now includes a growing number of pending cases, and the onewheel class action lawsuit and onewheel class action are part of the broader onewheel MDL and onewheel injury MDL. Many class action lawsuits have been filed as part of the Future Motion Onewheel lawsuit.
Anyone injured by a sudden stop or shutoff while riding a Onewheel may be eligible to file a claim, including injured riders and families of those who died due to these preventable incidents.
Filing a lawsuit against Onewheel allows you to recover the economic losses you suffered, like medical bills, lost income, rehab costs, pain and suffering; and in the case of a wrongful death, funeral expenses and other damages specific to negligent deaths.
Injured while riding a Onewheel? See if you qualify for financial compensation today!
Injuries Linked to Onewheel Accidents
Onewheel accidents can cause significant injuries, with users experiencing a wide range of physical injuries. Injuries tied to Onewheel crashes are often severe. Users have reported broken bones, dental and facial injuries, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and even permanent paralysis. One rider described a crash that led to two surgeries, three plates in their face, and a week in the hospital. Another said, “My collarbone exploded.” These aren’t just scrapes and bruises; these are life-altering injuries that require long-term recovery and sometimes lifelong care.
“It’s a fun ride—until it isn’t. The nosedive came out of nowhere,” said another Reddit user.
Deaths Reported from Onewheel Use
The AP News has confirmed at least four fatalities, though that number may grow as lawsuits uncover more cases. Families have filed wrongful death lawsuits, alleging that Future Motion failed to correct known defects or issue adequate warnings. In some cases, riders were traveling at relatively low speeds when the board shut off. Others were moving much faster, resulting in catastrophic impacts.
Despite these reports, Future Motion continued to sell and promote the devices until the 2023 recall.
The 2023 Recall and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Warnings
The CPSC issued a widespread recall of Onewheel models, including the original Onewheel, Onewheel XR, Onewheel GT, and Onewheel Pint, stating that the devices could eject riders during use. Future Motion announced the recall after pressure from a federal agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission. While Future Motion did release a software update called “Haptic Buzz” to alert riders of impending shutdowns, critics argue it was too little, too late.
Rather than acknowledge a broad defect, Future Motion pushed back against some of the allegations and continued to market the Onewheel as a safe product when used properly. But for many, the recall came only after it was too late.
Damages Available in a Onewheel Lawsuit
Below is a list of the “damages,” which is all the things that the incident cost you like your money in the form of medical bills or emotional distress. Additionally, insurance coverage may play a role in determining the compensation available in Onewheel lawsuits, as insurance policies can influence how claims are settled and the amount recoverable.
Medical Expenses (Past, Present, and Future)
Medical costs from a serious Onewheel injury can skyrocket quickly. Emergency room visits, surgeries, rehab, therapy, and medication all add up. Some riders report being out of work for months or needing multiple surgeries. For fatal cases, families may also face end-of-life medical expenses, which are often substantial.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
If you're sidelined by injury, you're also losing income. And if your injury leads to a permanent disability, your future earning capacity may be affected. That’s why economic damages in lawsuits often include both lost income and projections of future financial loss. An experienced legal team will often bring in a vocational expert or economist to calculate long-term losses.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering is about more than just physical pain. It also includes mental and emotional distress. Many Onewheel riders experience anxiety, PTSD, or depression following their accident. Some never return to riding, or even to a normal lifestyle, because of the psychological trauma.
Permanent Disability and Disfigurement
Some riders are left with permanent scars, metal plates, or lifelong mobility issues. Facial fractures, lost teeth, and spinal injuries often fall into this category. When injuries permanently alter a person’s quality of life, it dramatically increases the potential value of a lawsuit.
Wrongful Death and Funeral Expenses
When the worst happens, families can pursue damages for funeral and burial costs, along with the emotional and financial loss of a loved one. Wrongful death claims also aim to hold companies accountable in ways that help prevent similar tragedies from happening to others.
Future Motion: Potential Settlements and What to Expect
It’s too early to know exactly how much the average Onewheel settlement might be, but we can make some educated guesses based on similar cases. Settlement talks are ongoing in many Onewheel lawsuits, with some resulting in tentative settlements that are not final until certain conditions are met. Hoverboard lawsuits from a few years ago, particularly those involving battery fires, resulted in settlements that ranged from $50,000 to over $1 million, depending on the severity of injuries. However, those numbers are based on severe, life-altering injuries, not just scrapes and bumps.
Onewheel lawsuits may follow similar trends, but don’t expect those giant numbers for everyone. The final settlement and final settlement amount are determined through negotiation, often during settlement conferences organized by the court.
Severe injuries involving long-term disability or wrongful death could reach $1 million or more, especially if punitive damages are awarded. More moderate injuries, like broken bones or facial trauma, might range between $50,000 and $500,000. As part of the legal process, parties may exchange settlement conference statements before in-person settlement conferences or remote pre-settlement conferences to outline their positions and facilitate resolution. Keep in mind, these are speculative figures, and each case depends on its own facts, evidence, and how it affected the person’s life.
What To Do If You’ve Been Injured Riding a Onewheel
If you were injured, get medical treatment right away, even if you think the injuries are minor. If you have been involved in a Onewheel accident, seek legal advice as soon as possible. Preserve the device if possible, along with any app data, GPS tracking, or videos. Document everything, from your hospital bills to missed days at work. And don’t talk to insurance companies or Future Motion representatives without legal counsel.
Speaking to a lawyer quickly is the smartest move you can make. Onewheel accident lawyers can help guide victims through the legal process and file a Onewheel lawsuit to pursue compensation. Our legal team at Lawsuit Legal News can help evaluate your case for free and walk you through the next steps.
“The lawsuit is justified. Future Motion had to have known," said a former rider on a thread about Onewheel injuries.
Can You Still Ride a Onewheel?
Technically, yes, but should you? That’s another question. Some riders continue to use Onewheels post-recall, especially with software updates like "Haptic Buzz." But even with the update, users still report unexpected shutoffs.
Legally, you may bear some risk if you continue to use a product known to be dangerous, especially after a recall. If you’re injured while riding post-recall, the legal waters get murkier, and your ability to recover compensation may be affected.
Talk to a Lawyer Now
If you’ve been injured or lost someone to a defective Onewheel device, you are not alone—many Onewheel victims are seeking legal help and pursuing justice through ongoing lawsuits. Contact us today. Our team is ready to help you understand your options and take action if you choose to. Don’t wait. Your time to file may be limited, and early legal intervention can preserve the evidence you need.
Want to learn more about the dangers of Onewheels, including the history of similar incidents? Continue reading below. You can also read our Onewheel Lawsuit FAQ section to get quick answers to your questions.
The Bigger Picture: A History of Device Failures
The Onewheel lawsuits are part of a much larger wave of litigation involving popular consumer gadgets and personal transportation devices that rose to prominence before their safety was fully understood.
Many of these lawsuits are managed in federal court and district court, where federal judges oversee the proceedings. The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) plays a key role in consolidating related cases into a single multidistrict litigation (MDL) to streamline pretrial processes.
During the litigation, a case management conference is held to coordinate the status of the MDL, set schedules, and outline procedures for the ongoing cases. These cases highlight an industry-wide issue: innovation often outpaces regulation, leaving consumers exposed.
Hoverboards: From Hype to Hazard
Hoverboards exploded onto the scene in 2015 and quickly became the hottest holiday gift until they started catching fire. Due to faulty lithium-ion batteries, many models spontaneously combusted, leading to multiple injuries and home fires. The CPSC eventually recalled hundreds of thousands of units, and lawsuits began to pile up. In some cases, victims received six-figure settlements.
Electric Scooters: Urban Convenience with a Catch
Lime, Bird, and other electric scooter companies flooded city streets with shareable devices. Riders often had no protective gear, no training, and no real sense of the risks. Cities like Los Angeles and Austin reported huge spikes in ER visits related to scooter crashes. Lawsuits followed for everything from defective brakes to negligent maintenance. Riders suffered facial injuries, broken bones, and traumatic brain injuries.
Gyroscope-Based Devices: When Balance Becomes a Liability
Devices like Onewheel and Segway depend on internal gyroscopes and sensors to maintain balance. But if those systems fail, whether due to software bugs or power interruptions, the result can be catastrophic. In one widely publicized tragedy, Segway's owner Jimi Heselden died after riding his device off a cliff. While Segway injuries haven’t sparked the same level of mass litigation, they demonstrate the shared risks inherent in this type of tech.
Drones and Flying Toys: Eye-Level Danger
Recreational drones are another fast-rising category of entertainment devices now facing legal scrutiny. Blade injuries, property damage, and even near-misses with aircraft have led to FAA crackdowns and consumer lawsuits. These devices, often used by children and teens, are marketed as toys but carry serious risks, especially when operated without proper guidelines.
Smart Toys and Electronic Gadgets
Many smart or tech-forward toys use rechargeable batteries or Bluetooth technology. There have been numerous reports of overheating, electric shock, or fires, especially with budget knockoff brands. Products like Bluetooth-enabled fidget spinners and talking dolls have been recalled after causing burns or electrical injuries.
All of these examples, from scooters to drones, share one thing in common with Onewheel: a tech-first product introduced without sufficient testing, regulation, or long-term safety data. In nearly every case, companies have responded only after public outcry or lawsuits forced their hand. The legal system is often the last safeguard for consumers when regulation fails to keep up with innovation.
FAQ: Onewheel Lawsuit Questions
How do I know if I qualify for a lawsuit?
If you were injured by a sudden stop, nosedive, or shutoff while riding a Onewheel, or if a loved one died in a crash, you likely qualify to file a lawsuit against Future Motion. Contact Lawsuit Legal News to be connected with an experienced product liability lawyer to help you with the next steps.
What evidence should I gather?
Photos, videos, medical records, the Onewheel itself, riding data, statements from witnesses, and anything else you can use to document your injuries, its impact on your life, and proof that the Onewheel malfunctioned will make your case the strongest it can be.
What is the deadline to file a claim?
In most states, you have around two years from the date of the incident to file an injury lawsuit. But it varies from 2-4 years by state. Deadlines can creep up fast, so don’t wait.
Will I have to go to court?
Not always. Many cases settle before trial, but having a lawyer who’s ready to fight in court improves your chances of a fair outcome.
How much does it cost to file a claim?
Most Onewheel attorneys work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront and only owe a fee if you win.
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