OneWheel promised fun and freedom. The board looked sleek. The ride felt smooth. Many people trusted it right away. Some used it to commute. Others rode it just to enjoy the thrill. Future Motion sold it as safe and easy to use.
Then the crashes began. Riders got thrown off with no warning. Boards shut off mid-ride. People hit the ground hard. Some broke bones. Some lost teeth. Others suffered brain trauma. Some never walked again. Some never woke up.
You may think this only happened to a few. That is not true. Hundreds of riders across the U.S. have filed lawsuits. They say Future Motion knew about the defect. They say the company chose profit over safety. Court records back up these claims. Evidence includes crash reports, user complaints, and test data.
These lawsuits now form a major legal case. The court has grouped them into one large action. It could lead to massive payouts. Riders and families want justice. They want the company held responsible.
If your OneWheel board stopped suddenly and caused harm, you are not alone. This article explains the problem. It shows who can sue. It also breaks down how much money victims may receive. Keep reading to see if your case qualifies.
What Is the OneWheel Lawsuit?
Riders across the U.S. say the OneWheel board has a major defect. They claim it shuts off mid-ride without warning. The sudden stop causes people to fall. Injuries include broken bones concussion paralysis and death.
The lawsuits accuse Future Motion of the following:
Poor design
Weak warnings
Failure to fix known issues
Many victims say they followed every rule. The board still failed.
What Caused These Lawsuits?
More than 250 riders have joined the lawsuit. Each case links the board to serious injury or death. The common problem is power loss. Riders say the motor shuts off without reason. Most crashes happen at low or moderate speeds.
Victims report the following injuries:
Brain trauma
Spinal cord damage
Skull fractures
Jaw and facial breaks
Fatal impacts
Many families blame the company. They say Future Motion knew the board could fail. Court records show internal reports and crash complaints.
Why Do Riders Say the Board Is Defective?
Riders and engineers point to four main flaws:
The board nosedives when it can’t maintain speed
Pushback does not warn users clearly
Simplestop mode fails to protect new riders
Safety details hide in hard-to-find manuals
The Consumer Product Safety Commission found the board caused at least four deaths. Many riders wore helmets. Many stayed under speed limits. They still got hurt. Riders say the board—not the user—caused the crash.
What Is MDL No. 3092?
MDL No. 3092 is a major step in the OneWheel lawsuit. It stands for multidistrict litigation. This process takes many similar lawsuits and puts them in one federal court. In October 2023, a panel created MDL 3092. They sent all cases to Judge Beth Labson Freeman. She works in the Northern District of California.
This legal move saves time. It avoids delays and confusion. It also keeps one judge in charge of every decision. That means victims get a fair and consistent process.
The court now handles all injury and wrongful death cases tied to OneWheel. As of mid-2025, more than 250 lawsuits are part of this MDL. Each case involves riders who say the board shut off mid-ride and caused harm.
The court plans to begin bellwether trials in early 2026. These are sample trials. They help both sides see how juries respond. They also set a pattern for future settlements. If early trials go in favor of the victims, the company may agree to settle most claims.
MDL 3092 gives injured riders a stronger legal voice. It also speeds up justice. Victims no longer have to wait years in local courts. This process brings all cases together in one place.
Key Timeline of the Case
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Nov 16, 2022 | CPSC warns rider to stop using OneWheel board |
| Sep 29, 2023 | Future Motion recall over 300,000 board |
| Oct 2023 | MDL No. 3092 formed |
| Q1 2024 | Court set discovery schedule |
| Q3 2024 | Expert reports filed on defects |
| Q2 2025 | Judge rejects company’s request to dismiss lawsuits |
| Q1 2026 | First bellwether trials may begin |
These steps show how fast the case is moving. Victims should act quickly.
Who Can File a Lawsuit?
You may qualify if the crash meets these rules:
You used the board correctly
You suffered a serious injury
A loved one died due to a OneWheel crash
You did not modify the board or its software
A lawyer can review your case. You should collect medical records, ride logs, and photos. These may help prove your claim.
How Much Money Can You Get?
Settlements depend on your injuries. No payouts have been made yet. Experts compare this case to past product defect lawsuits.
Estimated payouts include:
$100000 to $300000 for broken bones or mild head trauma
$500000 to $1.5 million for moderate brain damage or rehab
$1 million to $3 million or more for death or paralysis
Courts look at your bill pain level lost income and long term effect. A lawyer can give a more accurate number based on your detail.
What Is Future Motion’s Defense?
Future Motion says OneWheel boards are not defective. The company blames user error. It claims that riders accept risk every time they step on the board. It compares riding OneWheel to skateboarding or snowboarding. Both carry danger. Both can lead to injury.
The company points to built-in safety features. It says pushback alerts riders when they go too fast. It also highlights the Simplestop mode, which is meant to help beginners. Future Motion says it warned users about possible crashes. It refers to its manuals, app messages, and training videos.
Lawyers for the company say the board performs as designed. They argue that no product can guarantee total safety. They also point to firmware logs, which track speed and balance data. They claim these logs often show rider mistakes, not defects.
Federal safety actions tell a different story. The CPSC told the public to stop using OneWheel boards in November 2022. That kind of warning is rare. In September 2023 Future Motion recalled more than 300,000 unit. That move confirmed the product posed a risk.
These actions hurt the company’s defense. Government agencies only act when they see serious danger. That weakens the claim that OneWheel crashes are just user error.
What Legal Terms Should You Know?
Some words come up in nearly every lawsuit:
Product liability – Faulty product cases
MDL – Group lawsuits in one federal court
Bellwether trial – Test case to help shape settlements
Negligence – Failure to use reasonable care
Punitive damages – Extra money to punish the company
Failure to warn – Poor or missing safety info
Understanding these terms helps you follow your case.
How Does the Board Cause Harm?
Each OneWheel board runs on sensors, firmware, and one large tire. It balances as you ride. A glitch or cut-off throws you forward. Riders usually can’t react in time.
Most crashes result in head-first landings. Common injuries include:
Brain damage
Jaw and facial breaks
Wrist and arm fractures
Spinal injuries
Death
These injuries often happen on short, easy rides.
What Should You Do After a Crash?
Act quickly to protect your health and case:
See a doctor right away
Keep the board, charger, and helmet
Save app screenshots and ride data
Call a lawyer before speaking to insurance
File your claim before the deadline
Most states give you one to three years after the injury. A lawyer can tell you your exact time limit.
Why Should You File a Claim?
Filing a claim gives you a chance to get justice. You may recover money for your losses. You may also force Future Motion to take responsibility. Riders trusted the company. Many got hurt instead.
Your lawsuit sends a clear message. It says safety matters more than profit. It shows that dangerous products must be fixed. It pushes companies to protect the public.
You may receive money for medical bills. You may also get paid for lost wages and pain. Some victims need long-term care. Some lose the ability to work. A claim helps cover those costs.
Every case adds pressure. Each new claim helps build the case. The more people speak up the harder it get for the company to ignore the truth.
You also help others by taking action. Your case may prevent future injuries. It may lead to better warnings, better testing, and safer boards.Legal action gives you a voice. It also helps protect riders like you.
Conclusion
OneWheel promised a new way to ride. Riders believed it was safe. The company said it was smart, stable, and fun. Many people trusted those claims. Many paid the price.
The board shuts off without warning. Riders get thrown to the ground. Some break bones. Some lose brain function. Some never wake up. Families are left with grief, bills, and questions.
Lawsuits now tell the full story. Riders say the company knew about the risk. Riders say Future Motion hid the truth. Courts have seen evidence of defects. Government agencies stepped in. The CPSC told people to stop riding. Future Motion recalled over 300,000 boards. That does not happen without reason.
Legal action gives you the power to fight back. You may win money to cover medical care. You may recover lost income. You may also get paid for pain, trauma, and life changes. That money will not erase the harm. But it can help you move forward.
Filing a claim also forces change. It pressures the company to fix its product. It protects future riders. It shows that safety matters. Every case adds weight. Every voice adds strength.
You do not have to stay silent. If you got hurt or lost someone because of a OneWheel crash, now is the time to act. A lawyer can review your story. A claim can help you get justice.
Your choice matters. Your case can bring change. You can hold the company accountable. You can help stop the next injury before it happens.
