With Black Friday and Cyber Monday behind us and the holiday shopping season in full swing, everyone is looking for the perfect gifts for friends and family. One of items topping many lists is the Back-to-the-Futuristic hoverboard, a two-wheeled device meant to carry users from point A to point B. Hoverboards are reasonably affordable, in the $300-$500 range, and they appeal to tech-savvy adults and teenagers alike. They’ve been flying off the shelves this season.
Serious Injuries Reported
Amidst all the excitement around hoverboards, news stories have been popping up across the country about serious problems with the gadgets. Users have reported injuries resulting in emergency room treatment. YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter are full of photos and videos showing significant and painful-looking wipeouts.
Fires and Explosions
In addition to the danger that comes with riding the device, many consumers in the US and overseas are complaining that the battery can overheat and possibly explode. At least one family in Louisiana alleges that a hoverboard caught fire and burned down their home. In the UK, authorities have gone so far as seizing a number of the devices.
So remember, if you’re considering a hoverboard this holiday season, do your homework on safety precautions.
recently named in the 2009 edition of Best Lawyer's In America, David Mittleman has been representing seriously injured people since 1985. A partner with Church Wyble PC—a division of Grewal Law PLLC—Mr. Mittleman and his partners focus on medical malpractice, wrongful death, car accidents, slip and falls, nursing home injury, pharmacy/pharmacist negligence and disability claims.
2 Comments
Steve Lombardi
I have seen teenager on a hoverboard in our neighborhood. He rides in the street and through a very busy intersection which is a part of a detour bringing even more traffic through this intersection. It's only a matter of time before one of the neighbors who regularly drive and text clobbers him.
Marcia
Are there new laws going into effect with these?
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