Amazon Electric Scooter Lawsuit Alleges Collapsing Handlebars Caused Rider Injuries

Lawsuit claims a defective one-click mechanism (OCM) latch allowed the scooter’s vertical bar and handlebars to suddenly fold downward.

A Florida woman has filed a lawsuit alleging that a defective electric scooter sold through Amazon suddenly collapsed during normal use, throwing her violently onto the pavement.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Danielle De Vries in Florida Circuit Court last month, and removed to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida by defendant Amazon.com Inc on March 11. The lawsuit names Amazon, Yongkang Moxi Technology Co. Ltd. and Volpam as defendants.

Electric scooters, often called e-scooters, are battery powered two wheeled vehicles designed for short trips on streets, bike lanes and sometimes sidewalks. Originally marketed as a convenient transportation option for commuters, they have become increasingly common in major U.S. cities as a quick and environmentally friendly way to travel short distances.

Their low cost, simple operation, and widespread availability through app based rental programs have fueled rapid growth in recent years. However, the surge in popularity has also raised growing concerns about rider safety and injury risks.

A Segway Electric Scooter recall issued last year warned that the devices’ handlebars may fold while in use, posing a fall risk for riders. Regulators stated there were at least 68 reports of folding mechanisms failing, including 20 incidents resulting in abrasions, bruises, lacerations and broken bones.

Earlier this year, a Kansas man filed a lawsuit claiming a self-balancing Segway-Ninebot electric scooter purchased on Amazon suddenly powered off without warning while he was riding it, causing him to be thrown to the ground and suffer serious, permanent injuries to his arm.

Volpam Electric Scooter Lawsuit

According to her complaint, De Vries purchased a Volpam electric scooter equipped with a one-click mechanism (OCM) latch through Amazon’s online marketplace on January 1, 2024.

One month later, she was riding the scooter on a sidewalk in Jacksonville, Florida, when its folding vertical bar allegedly malfunctioned. The lawsuit claims the OCM latch failed without warning, allowing the vertical bar and handlebars to suddenly fold downward during normal operation.

As a result, De Vries allegedly lost control of the scooter and was thrown from the moving device onto the pavement, suffering severe orthopedic and soft tissue injuries, particularly to her upper and lower extremities.

The filing alleges that the scooter’s collapse was caused by a defectively designed latch assembly that prevented the mechanism from properly locking in place. According to the complaint, the OCM latch contained misaligned components and excessive latch tolerance, which allowed it to open unexpectedly during normal riding conditions.

The complaint further alleges that multiple consumer reviews posted on Amazon before the incident described similar failures involving the same scooter model and latch mechanism.

Despite those reports, the lawsuit claims the defendants continued to sell the scooter without recalling the product or adequately warning consumers about the risk that the handlebar assembly could suddenly collapse.

“As a direct result of Defendant Volpam’s failure to properly design, manufacture, and/or construct the scooter, the OCM latch failed and allowed the subject scooter to collapse during normal operation.”

— Danielle De Vries v. Amazon.com Inc. et al

While the complaint names the Volpam entities over their role in designing and manufacturing the allegedly defective scooter, it also claims Amazon shares responsibility for facilitating the sale through its online marketplace and fulfillment system, processing the payment and delivering the product to the consumer.

The lawsuit raises claims of negligence and strict liability, alleging the defendants failed to properly design, manufacture, test and warn consumers about the dangers associated with the scooter’s latch mechanism.

De Vries is seeking damages for medical costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering and other losses related to the injuries she suffered in the crash.

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