Big rig accident lawyer Jordan M Jones speaks at AAJ's Truck Litigation Group on getting clients to tell their story at
A unanimous Supreme Court ruling strengthens truck safety nationwide and expands accountability for freight brokers that hire unsafe carriers.
On May 14, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that freight brokers can be sued when they negligently select unsafe trucking companies to transport goods.
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This page was written, edited, and approved by Jordan M. Jones, a California trucking attorney with Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyers, who verified the content as factual and evidence-based under California law.
Listen: Jordan M. Jones on the Supreme Court’s 9-0 Victory for Truck Safety
2 minutes: Click audio below. Los Angeles truck accident attorney Jordan M. Jones shares his reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, explaining why this ruling is a major victory for truck safety, crash victims, and accountability in the freight industry.
The Supreme Court decision in Montgomery v. Caribe II came down and basically, there was a split in the circuits before. In the 7th and 11th circuit, they said you couldn’t sue freight brokers. And in the ninth and the sixth Circuit, they said you could. And there was a split in authority.
The Supreme Court settled the issue today. They said that you can sue freight brokers, and it falls under the safety exception. Justice Barrett wrote the majority opinion. And Justice Kavanaugh, joined by Alito, wrote a concurring opinion. And basically, they said that freight brokers have to use reasonable care when they’re selecting motor carriers – the safety exemption with respect to Motor Vehicles applies. Essentially, because you’re hiring people to operate motor vehicles. So they said That’s why it falls under the safety exception,
One thing that’s kind of interesting in the concurring opinion by Justice Kavanaugh, Justice Kavanaugh pointed out that this is kind of like an anomalous result because, like, in on a very, very strict reading, you can sue in interstate commerce, but not in intra-state commerce. But basically what he kind of said was, you know, if Congress doesn’t like the anomalous result, they can revisit the statute themselves, But he does, obviously agrees with the majority opinion.
It was a nine-nothing unanimous court, which I don’t know. It was kind of surprising to me, quite frankly. As of now, plaintiffs can sue freight brokers for negligence selection. It’s a really, really big victory for safety. It’s going to lead to saving lives ultimately.
Freight brokers have to really look hard and think about who they’re hiring. And that’s a good thing for everybody.
What Did the Supreme Court Decide?
In a unanimous 9-0 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that freight brokers can be sued when they negligently select unsafe trucking companies to transport goods.
The case resolved a major split among federal courts over whether federal law shielded freight brokers from these negligence claims.
The Court held that these lawsuits fall within the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act’s safety exception, meaning freight brokers may face legal accountability when unsafe carrier decisions contribute to serious truck crashes.
For truck crash victims and their families, this ruling may create new paths to accountability in serious truck accident claims.
What Is Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II?
The case began with a devastating commercial truck crash that left Shawn Montgomery with catastrophic injuries, including the loss of his leg. Montgomery was stopped on the side of the road in Illinois when a truck operated by Caribe Transport II struck his tractor-trailer.
The shipment had been arranged by transportation broker C.H. Robinson Worldwide.
Montgomery alleged that C.H. Robinson negligently selected Caribe Transport despite warning signs about the carrier’s safety history, including reported compliance and crash concerns.
His argument was simple: if a freight broker chooses an unsafe trucking company despite known safety concerns, that broker should be held accountable when predictable harm occurs.
That question ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Circuit Split That Led to the Supreme Court
Before this ruling, whether crash victims could sue freight brokers often depended on geography. Federal courts were divided over whether the FAAAA blocked negligent carrier selection claims.
What Is the FAAAA Safety Exception?
The legal fight centered on a federal law called the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act, or FAAAA. Although the name sounds aviation-related, the law also governs important parts of the trucking industry.
Freight brokers argued that federal law protected them from negligence lawsuits involving carrier selection.
The Supreme Court disagreed.
The Court concluded that choosing which trucking companies operate on public highways directly relates to motor vehicle safety.
In simple terms: if a broker helps put an unsafe trucking company on the road, that decision may still be challenged under state law.
Why the Supreme Court Ruled for Safety
Justice Amy Coney Barrett, writing for the unanimous Court, focused on a simple question: does a freight broker’s carrier selection decision relate to highway safety?
The Court said yes.
Freight brokers help determine which trucks and drivers operate on public roads. If they fail to use reasonable care when choosing unsafe carriers, those decisions can have life-changing consequences.
The Court rejected the idea that brokers should receive broad legal immunity simply because they act as intermediaries.
Instead, the ruling reinforces accountability when unsafe decisions contribute to serious crashes.
Justice Kavanaugh’s Warning
About an “Anomalous” Result
Justice Brett Kavanaugh agreed with the ruling but highlighted an unusual wrinkle.
Because a separate section of federal law governs certain intrastate broker activity without the same safety exception, similar claims may be treated differently depending on whether freight crossed state lines.
Kavanaugh acknowledged that inconsistency but agreed the law, as written, supports this decision.
If Congress wants to change that result, Congress can amend the statute.
Why This Decision Is Generating Attention
Across the Trucking Industry
The Supreme Court’s decision in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II has generated significant discussion throughout the trucking and logistics industries because it highlights the importance of safe carrier selection practices.
“Truck crashes are often the result of a series of safety failures,” Jones said. “When a freight broker ignores warning signs and selects an unsafe motor carrier, that decision can have real consequences for families sharing the highway with commercial trucks.”
The decision also reinforces broader conversations within the transportation industry about:
- Freight broker carrier vetting
- Motor carrier safety histories
- FMCSA compliance records
- Crash history reviews
- Operational safety practices
- Highway safety accountability
Responsible carrier selection practices can play an important role in reducing preventable commercial truck crashes involving unsafe motor carriers.
Why This Matters for Truck Crash Victims
Truck accident cases often involve more than the driver behind the wheel.
The Supreme Court’s decision in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II reinforces that accountability may extend to other parties when unsafe decisions contribute to a serious commercial crash, including:
- Freight brokers
- Trucking companies
- Maintenance providers
- Cargo-related entities
For injured victims, identifying every responsible party can make a meaningful difference, especially in cases involving catastrophic injuries or potential wrongful death claims.
Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a California truck accident, Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyers can help investigate the full chain of responsibility and explain your legal options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can freight brokers now be sued after truck accidents?
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that negligent hiring claims against freight brokers are not preempted under federal law in cases involving interstate freight transportation.
What is negligent selection?
Negligent selection generally means failing to use reasonable care when choosing a trucking company, especially when warning signs such as poor safety history or compliance violations are present.
Does this ruling apply in California?
Yes. Because this was a U.S. Supreme Court decision interpreting federal law, California courts must follow the ruling in applicable interstate freight cases.
Can I sue both the trucking company and the freight broker?
Potentially. Truck accident cases often involve multiple responsible parties depending on the facts.
Why is this considered a truck safety victory?
Because the ruling increases accountability for freight brokers that choose unsafe trucking companies.
Does this mean every freight broker can be sued after a truck crash?
No. Liability depends on the facts and whether reasonable care was used.
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