OneWheel “Nosedive” Defects: What You Need to Know

The OneWheel saga isn’t over yet.

As of December 2024, there were 89 claims pending resolution in Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). According to legal experts familiar with the matter, the hope at the time was that the matters could be settled quickly. There is no indication that has actually occurred, however.

The MDL being coordinated through a U.S. District Court in California has been ongoing since December 2023. That’s when Future Motion Inc., which makes the OneWheel devices, convinced a special panel called the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to combine 31 personal injury lawsuits into one pretrial proceeding.

By April 2024, the number of cases included in the MDL topped 40. More new cases joined in May, and the number continued to climb until September, when the total number of cases hit 84. While the number of cases included in the MDL slowly tapered off since, there is nothing preventing anyone who has been hurt while riding a OneWheel from seeking legal help.

In fact, we urge anyone who got hurt on a defective OneWheel device to contact the product liability attorneys from Van Law Firm at this time. We have a proven track record when it comes to helping people who were hurt while using defective products get the compensation they deserve. Now we’d like to help you, as well. But it is up to you to take the first step by calling us to schedule your initial consultation.

What Is A One-Wheel And Why Is It Allegedly Dangerous?

Think of a OneWheel as an electric skateboard-like device with a wooden platform that riders stand on and one tire in the middle. How does it work? Unlike a traditional skateboard, it uses gyroscopes and a battery-powered motor to help riders balance and accelerate. Because it is motorized, it can reach speeds up to 20 miles per hour or even more when going downhill.

Although they were marketed to a limited audience, basic and enhanced OneWheels soon held broader appeal. OneWheel riders took to urban streets, used the devices to navigate college campuses and even suburban neighborhoods throughout the United States. While many did so safely, defects in OneWheel devices soon became apparent.

Plaintiffs in early OneWheel lawsuits claimed that they sustained serious injuries due to:

• “Nosedive” accidents: Most of the allegations initially pertained to “nosedive” incidents, in which the OneWheel motor suddenly quits, causing the board to slam forward into the ground. This unanticipated stop and change of direction can dislodge even the best riders and when you factor in speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, it’s easy to see how significant injuries happen.
• “Pushback” accidents: Another concern raised by plaintiffs claimants is associated with OneWheel’s “pushback” feature. This feature briefly stops momentum and alerts the rider that the device is either low on battery or reaching its limits in terms of speed. However, this feature may also throw riders off balance or impact their ability to steer properly, as numerous plaintiffs have claimed.

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A Summary Of OneWheel Allegations And Other Actions Taken Against Future Motion

Based in Santa Cruz, California, Future Motion, Inc., designs, makes, and distributes OneWheel products. To date, the basic allegations against the company are that:

• The OneWheel and OneWheel+ XR models contain design and manufacturing defects that can cause riders to lose their balance or nosedive into the ground;
• Future Motion failed to properly warn consumers about these defects and the risk of potential injury; and
• The company was aware of these risks but downplayed their significance in order to convince consumers that their product was safe for general use.

In November 2022, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission urged the public to stop buying and using OneWheel devices. Specifically, the federal government agency said that it evaluated the OneWheel products and “found that they can cause the rider to be ejected from the product, which can result in serious injury or death to the rider.”

Less than a year later, in September 2023, Future Motion, Inc. recalled all of its OneWheel models because the skateboards could “stop balancing the rider if the boards’ limits are exceeded, posing a crash hazard that can result in serious injury or death.”

OneWheel accidents had reportedly been tied to at least four fatalities at the time.

OneWheel Injuries

You may be able to file a OneWheel lawsuit if a loved one died after a OneWheel accident, or you experienced any of the following after falling off one of these devices due to alleged product defects:

• Head injuries including but not limited to concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries;
• Deep lacerations;
• Fractures; and
• Other critical injuries

If you would like to know more about making a potential OneWheel claim, or would like to speak with our product liability attorneys, please contact Van Law Firm at your earliest convenience. We have knowledge and experience needed to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us to get the process started today.