Manufacturers Promote The Ease Of Use And Safety Of Electronic Scooters
No safety standards cover the design or manufacturing of hoverboards. Despite this, manufacturers and retailers tout the electronic scooters as safe.
ROAM claims its electronically calibrated self-balancing gyroscope technology allows riders to “safely weave through city streets and sidewalks,” providing “safe and stable motorized travel in attention-grabbing fashion.”
Razor describes its Hovertrax electric scooter as a “step into the future of riding” offering “a super smooth ride” due its “patented smart balancing technology.” The hoverboard’s “gyro-sensor technology stays in perfect sync with you, allowing you to glide seamlessly in any direction with a simple shift of your foot.”
The company Hoverboard touts its Powerboard is so easy to ride that “most people master it in as little as 30 seconds!”
Hoverboard Injuries And Accidents Climb Nationwide
Hundreds of hoverboard accidents have occurred across America. While the accidents often involve children, adults have been reported among the hoverboard injury victims as well. Injuries are primarily the result of falls or collisions and include concussions, sprains, fractures, lacerations, and crushed fingers.
As explained by Consumer Reports, hover boards are extremely sensitive devices. Even experienced riders can suddenly fall off the scooters during normal use:
In our tests, we found that an unexpected obstruction-even a small stick, pebble, dip, or bump in the sidewalk-can jolt the rider into shifting his or her weight from one side to the other. That shift can make the wheel on one side speed up or slow down, forcing the hoverboard into an unplanned turn. When that happens, it’s very easy to fall: At any speed, the rider’s feet can quickly be swept away, with the potential for hitting one’s head . . .
Hoverboard Fires And Battery Safety Defect Under Investigation
There have been scores of reports of hoverboards catching fire across America. In December 2015, the Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission (“CPSC”) stated that government engineers are testing new and damaged hoverboard to determine why some models have caught fire during the charging stage while others erupt into flames while in use.
The focus of these investigations is the device’s lithium ion batteries. Often cheaply produced, the separators in the lithium ion batteries may become compromised, causing a short circuit and fire.
In January 2016, the CPSC further instructed that hoverboard owners
- have a working fire extinguisher nearby while charging or using hoverboards in and around your home; and
- charge the device in an open area away from any combustible materials.
What Are Hoverboard Safety Guidelines?
The Center for Injury Research and Prevention recommends these hoverboard riding safety tips:
- Children should never ride unsupervised.
- Always wear protective gear, including a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards.
- Stay alert. Hoverboards don’t rely on rider skill to control speed. They may accelerate without warning.
- Don’t ride in or near traffic. A death in the U.K. resulted from a fall that might only have been bruising if a bus had not been driving past.
- Hoverboards are mostly likely to catch fire while charging, so don’t leave a plugged-in board unattended.
- Know the law. Hoverboards may be banned from public streets in your area.
Finally, all persons – children and adults – should have another person spot them when learning to ride. “Because the board begins to move the moment you apply pressure,” Consumer Reports explains, “it helps to have someone strong at your side, holding your hand, ready to catch you if you lose your balance.”
Hoverboard Lawsuits: Why Are Hoverboard Makers And Retailers Legally Responsible For Injuries Riders Suffer?
All manufacturers and retailers have a duty to sell safe products, and adequately warn consumers of known safety hazards.
In the case of electronic hoverboards, it has been alleged that the products are defectively designed. Further, the hoverboard suits allege that manufacturers and retailers falsely marketed the devices as safe and easy to use and failed to disclose the real dangers of hoverboards and warn consumers of the necessary precautions when first learning to ride them.
The law in most states provides consumers the right to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for their injuries from a defective and dangerous product. The compensation may include damages for:
· Past and future physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and physical impairment;
· Past and future medical, incidental and hospital expenses;
· Past and future loss of earnings and earning capacity;
· Punitive damages; and
· Wrongful death when the victim was killed.
Hoverboard Injury Lawyer: Contact The Dolan Law Firm
For over 20 years, the Dolan Law Firm has successfully represented clients in personal injury lawsuits including consumers seriously harmed by defective and dangerous products.
We are representing parents whose child suffered a significant injury while riding a hoverboard as well as persons (adult or child) that suffered a serious burn injury due to a fire caused by a hoverboard.
If your child suffered a fracture, concusion or other brain injury, permanent disfigurement (such as loss of a finger), spinal injury or you or a family suffered a serious burn injury, please call our office today toll free at 888-452-4752 or email us for a free, no obligation consultation.
California-licensed attorney Christopher B. Dolan has been repeatedly recognized as one of the top trial lawyers in California. Under his supervision, the experienced injury lawyers at the Dolan Law Firm attorneys will review your claim promptly and without any charge or obligation on your part. We have the experience and the resources to fully investigate your case.
Members of the Dolan Law Firm are licensed to practice in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Even if you are not a resident of California, Arizona or New Mexico, we welcome the opportunity to advise you of your legal rights, again for no charge or obligation on your part. Our law firm has affiliations with the leading injury attorneys and law firms across America.
