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Hoverboards are certainly not what we expected them to be when we watched Back to the Future, yet they have still become a popular toy for those who can figure out how to use them. Unfortunately, by the end of 2015, there had already been more than 20 fires caused by defective batteries or chargers, including whole houses being burned down. That doesn’t even take into account the numerous injuries caused by falling off of the difficult to use products. If you’ve been injured in a hoverboard accident, you may have a personal injury claim (defective product claim / product liability claim, specifically) against the manufacturer of the hoverboard or the retailer.
How Do You Know If You Have a Defective Hoverboard?
Ultimately, the battery or the charger is what could lead to a fire. It can be difficult to know if you have a defective battery or charger until something happens. It may help to check online and read reviews and case studies concerning the brands involved in the personal injuries associated with different hoverboards. Unfortunately, most people don’t find out that they have a defective product until that product blows up in their face (literally or figuratively). In most cases, the more expensive and better known brands are going to be the ones that use the safest and most reliable parts.
If you are considering purchasing a hoverboard, or if you already have, from a second class brand, then you should keep this in mind. One way to prevent such an accident from happening in your own home, or from being so devastating, is to avoid charging the hoverboard at night, when people are sleeping, or when the house is unoccupied. At least, if you are awake, home, and aware of the situation, you might be able to stop a fire from consuming your entire home or taking someone’s life.
What Can You Do If You’ve Suffered An Injury Because of a Hoverboard in South Carolina?
If you have suffered serious injuries because of a hoverboard in South Carolina, then you may have a valid personal injury claim against the manufacturer and/or the distributor of the defective product. However, if you were injured because you fell off of the hoverboard, then you may not have such a claim. Depending on the circumstances, you might have a premises liability claim, such as if the accident occurred on someone else’s property and was due to that party’s negligence, rather than your own inability to use the device properly. Every situation is unique, so this not an implausible circumstance. If you have any questions about whether or not you have any kind of claim, contact a South Carolina personal injury attorney from David Aylor Law Offices for a free consultation.
How Do You Establish Liability in a Defective Product Personal Injury Claim?
If a defective product caused your injuries and damages, then you must establish liability to pursue a product liability claim. You do this by establishing that that there was a defect that resulted in unreasonable danger to the user of the product. You must also establish that you were using the product as intended and that you did not alter the product in any way that would affect how that product performed. To clarify, simply writing your name on the product would not count as altering it in a way that would affect performance, but messing with the mechanisms that make it work would.
What Forms of Compensation Can You Receive If You Do Have a Personal Injury Claim?
If, after seeking a free consultation with a South Carolina personal injury attorney, you determine that you do in fact have a valid claim, you can pursue various damages from the liable party or company. These include your medical expenses and property damage, any associated lost wages or future earning potential, your pain and suffering, and your psychological suffering.
You Must Be Able to Prove Your Case to Recover Damages in a Personal Injury Claim
The most important thing to understand about any personal injury claim, especially the often complex product liability claims, is that you have to be able to prove your case. You must prove liability and damages to recover compensation. Contact David Aylor Law Offices to talk to an experienced South Carolina personal injury attorney who understand the process and the system.