Segway Recall 2025: Understanding Your Rights in a Scooter Injury Lawsuit

Segway Recall 2025: Understanding Your Rights in a Scooter Injury Lawsuit

Electric scooters have revolutionized urban transportation, offering a convenient and eco-friendly way to navigate city streets. However, this convenience comes with inherent risks. In March 2025, Segway issued a recall for approximately 220,000 of its Ninebot Max G30P and Max G30LP electric scooters due to a concerning defect in the folding mechanism. This defect can cause the handlebars or stem to unexpectedly fold during use, posing a significant fall hazard to riders. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Segway has received 68 reports of the folding mechanism failing, resulting in 20 injuries, including broken bones, bruises, and lacerations.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to this recall or any other scooter-related incident, it’s crucial to understand your legal rights and options. This blog post will delve into the details of the Segway recall, discuss potential legal avenues for those injured, and provide guidance on navigating a scooter injury lawsuit.

Understanding the Segway Recall of 2025

The Segway Ninebot Max G30P and Max G30LP KickScooters, sold between January 2020 and February 2025 at major retailers like Best Buy, Costco, Walmart, Target, and Sam’s Club, as well as online via Amazon and Segway’s website, are affected by this recall. The scooters were manufactured in China and Malaysia. The folding mechanism failure poses a serious risk, as the sudden collapse of the handlebars or stem can lead to falls and injuries.

Identifying Recalled Scooters:

  • Models: Segway Ninebot Max G30P and Max G30LP KickScooters
  • Colors: Max G30LP (gray with yellow accents), Max G30P (black with yellow accents)
  • Brand Name: “Ninebot” appears on the foot platform and top of the handlebars.
  • Model Number: Located on a label on the side of the foot deck.

What to Do If You Own a Recalled Scooter:

  1. Stop Using the Scooter Immediately: To prevent potential injuries, cease using the scooter until the issue is resolved.
  2. Contact Segway: Reach out to Segway to determine if the folding mechanism needs adjustment and to request a free maintenance kit. You can contact Segway at 800-914-6110 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, email at recall@segway.com, or visit their website.
  3. Follow Instructions: Use the maintenance kit and instructions provided by Segway to check and tighten the folding mechanism.

E-Scooter Accidents: A Growing Concern

The rise in popularity of e-scooters has unfortunately been accompanied by a surge in accidents and injuries. In Texas, a recent study highlighted the increasing safety concerns surrounding electric scooters, particularly in high-use areas. The study revealed that a significant percentage of injured riders were on their first e-scooter ride or had limited experience, and many accidents involved factors like alcohol consumption, excessive speed, or scooter malfunctions.

Common injuries resulting from e-scooter accidents include:

  • Head injuries (concussions, traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures)
  • Upper limb injuries (hands, wrists, arms, shoulders)
  • Lower limb injuries (legs, knees, ankles, feet)
  • Lacerations (cuts)
  • Bruises
  • Broken bones

Your Legal Rights After a Scooter Injury

If you’ve been injured in a scooter accident, understanding your legal rights is paramount. Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Potential Legal Avenues:

  1. Product Liability Lawsuit: If the accident was caused by a defect in the scooter, such as the folding mechanism failure in the Segway recall, you may have a claim against the manufacturer (Segway) or other parties involved in the design, manufacturing, or distribution of the scooter.
  2. Personal Injury Claim: If the accident was caused by the negligence of another party, such as a reckless scooter rider, a negligent driver, or a property owner who failed to maintain safe conditions, you may have a personal injury claim against them.
  3. Premises Liability Claim: If the accident occurred on someone else’s property due to hazardous conditions, such as uneven pavement or obstacles, you may have a premises liability claim against the property owner.

Establishing Negligence:

To succeed in a personal injury claim, you generally need to prove the following elements:

  • Duty of Care: The at-fault party had a legal duty to act reasonably and avoid causing harm to others.
  • Breach of Duty: The at-fault party failed to uphold their duty of care through negligent or reckless actions.
  • Causation: The breach of duty directly caused your injuries.
  • Damages: You suffered quantifiable damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Navigating a Scooter Injury Lawsuit: Key Considerations

  1. Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Get prompt medical attention, even if you think your injuries are minor.
  2. Document the Incident: Gather as much evidence as possible, including photos of the accident scene, witness statements, and a copy of the police report (if one was filed).
  3. Identify All Potential Liable Parties: Determine who may be responsible for the accident, including the scooter manufacturer, other riders, drivers, or property owners.
  4. Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney: An experienced attorney can evaluate your case, advise you on your legal options, and help you navigate the complexities of a scooter injury lawsuit.
  5. Understand the Statute of Limitations: Be aware of the time limit for filing a lawsuit in your state. In New York, for example, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.

The Importance of Legal Representation

Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts in personal injury cases. An experienced personal injury attorney can protect your rights, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and, if necessary, file a lawsuit to pursue the compensation you deserve.

Benefits of Hiring an Attorney:

  • Case Evaluation: An attorney can assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case and provide you with an honest opinion about your chances of success.
  • Investigation: An attorney can conduct a thorough investigation of the accident to gather evidence and identify all liable parties.
  • Negotiation: An attorney can negotiate with insurance companies to reach a fair settlement.
  • Litigation: If a settlement cannot be reached, an attorney can file a lawsuit and represent you in court.

Seeking Justice and Compensation

If you’ve been injured in a Segway scooter accident due to the 2025 recall or any other form of negligence, you have the right to seek justice and compensation for your losses. Contacting a personal injury attorney is a crucial step in protecting your rights and pursuing the financial recovery you deserve. Don’t hesitate to seek legal guidance to understand your options and navigate the path to recovery.