In September 2023, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled approximately 300,000 Onewheel electric skateboards due to a defect that causes the boards to suddenly stop balancing riders, ejecting them forward and causing serious injuries or death.
The recall applies to all Onewheel models sold from January 2014 through September 2023.
If you were injured in an Onewheel accident, you may have grounds for an injury claim against the manufacturer, Future Motion. Reach out to The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary for a free case evaluation.
Why the Onewheel Was Recalled
Federal safety regulators identified a serious crash hazard in all Onewheel self-balancing electric skateboards. The devices can abruptly stop balancing the rider when the board's performance limits are exceeded or when the system encounters low battery or error states. Because riders rely entirely on the system's ability to maintain balance, these failures result in sudden, high-impact falls with no warning.
The CPSC documented at least four deaths between 2019 and 2021, all caused by head trauma. In at least three of these fatal incidents, riders were not wearing helmets. Beyond the fatalities, dozens of incident reports describe severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, concussions, paralysis, upper and lower body fractures, and ligament damage.
Common Injuries From Onewheel Defects
Consistent injury patterns identified in federal recall data form the basis of product liability claims:
- Head trauma represents the leading cause of death in Onewheel accidents. Riders are ejected forward at speeds up to 25 mph when the board stops balancing, causing their heads to strike pavement with severe force. Traumatic brain injuries and concussions have occurred even when riders were wearing helmets.
- Fractures in the arms, wrists, collarbones, ribs, legs, ankles, and facial bones occur when riders instinctively reach out to cushion their fall or land awkwardly.
- Ejection-related trauma results in a wide variety of injuries because the sudden forward launch offers none of the warning that a gradual loss of balance would. Riders have suffered from severe road rash, internal injuries, organ damage, and ligament tears necessitating surgical intervention.
The fact that these injuries stem from the board's unexpected loss of balance rather than rider error or misuse is what makes them central to product defect claims.
Product Liability Law and Onewheel Claims
Design defects, manufacturing defects, and failure to warn are the three theories most Onewheel injury claims are built around, and most involve all three.
- Design defect claims hold that the self-balancing system was dangerous by nature, able to shut down without warning, and eject riders at high speeds. Future Motion's subsequent addition of a haptic buzz warning system strongly suggests the original design was missing safety measures it needed.
- Failure to warn claims are built around Future Motion's marketing, which promoted the board's performance while failing to adequately disclose the serious risk of sudden balance failure and ejection. Evidence shows the company had been aware of injuries and deaths for years before the 2023 recall was finally agreed upon.
- Manufacturing defect claims may apply if your board failed because of a specific assembly flaw or components that broke down ahead of schedule.
When to Consider an Injury Claim
A claim may be worth pursuing, and the recall does not limit your legal rights even if you already accepted a firmware update or refund for injuries caused by the defective product. Consider your options if:
- Your Onewheel suddenly stopped balancing and ejected you without warning
- You suffered injuries requiring medical treatment, surgery, or ongoing care
- Your injuries occurred before or after the September 2023 recall
- You experienced the accident anywhere in the United States
What Compensation May Be Available for Onewheel Injuries
Product liability claims against Future Motion give injured riders and their families the ability to seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and future treatment
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity if injuries prevent you from working
- Pain and suffering from the physical and emotional impact of your injuries
- Disability or disfigurement from permanent injuries
- Loss of quality of life
- Wrongful death damages if you lost a loved one
Federal multidistrict litigation currently holds more than 80 pending Onewheel lawsuits, and the first bellwether trials are scheduled for April and June 2026. These trials will reveal how juries respond to evidence of Future Motion's awareness of the defect and the company's delayed recall response.
How The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary Can Help With Your Onewheel Injury Claim
The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary can evaluate whether a defective Onewheel gives you grounds for a product liability claim. We represent injured riders nationwide, with deep experience in complex product defect cases throughout Florida and around the country.
We bring in accident reconstruction experts, biomechanical engineers, and medical professionals to establish the connection between the defect and your injuries while documenting the full extent of your damages.
Our focus is on building a comprehensive case that shows Future Motion's liability and the full impact on your life.
Because we handle product liability cases on a contingency fee basis, you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Contact our Miami office to discuss your Onewheel accident and learn whether you have a claim worth pursuing.