SCOTUS Sides With Plaintiff By Holding Trucking Brokers Can Be Liable When They Use Dangerous Haulers

Ruling Opens the Door for Additional Lawsuits Against Trucking Brokers Who Are Tied to Accidents

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 1, 2026) – The US Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling that a truck broker can face a lawsuit for its role in hiring a carrier that was involved in a crash that seriously injured a plaintiff.

The case centers around Shawn Montgomery. He lost a part of his leg in a 2017 tractor trailer crash in Illinois.

In that case, the plaintiff was injured after a speeding truck collided into his parked vehicle. Attorneys for the plaintiff claimed that C.H. Robinson should have known about major safety concerns associated with the trucking company that they hired.

Legal counsel for the defendants argued that federal transportation law shielded brokers from state law liability claims. The Supreme Court rejected the arguments put forward by the defendants.

In particular, they held that the plaintiff’s legal claim fell within a motor vehicle safety exception. This ruling has been considered significant by safety advocates because it makes it easier for injured parties to hold trucking brokers responsible when they use dangerous companies.

There are several major truck brokers centered here in Georgia.

• H. Robinson – College Park, GA
• Total Quality Logistics – Atlanta, GA
• Echo Global Logistics – Atlanta, GA
• Mercer Transportation – Atlanta, GA
• Li-Way Transfer & Storage – Covington, GA

As a consequence of the ruling, victims of semi-truck accidents may be able to pursue additional measures of accountability through a civil claim.

Liability for Accidents Involving Crashes With Semi-Trucks

Truck companies can be liable for the negligent actions of their drivers. This includes situations where truck drivers cause a collision due to speeding or other traffic infractions. Commercial trucking claims are often more complicated than any specific driver behind the wheel at the time of a crash. Freight brokers play an important part in the logistics of moving goods from one location to another. These brokers can now be liable for accidents if they failed to use reasonable care in selecting a safe truck company. Courts will take into consideration several factors in determining whether or not a broker used reasonable care in selecting a safe company.

• Carrier Safety History: It matters whether or not a carrier had a safe history. In that sense, a broker could face liability if a trucking company had a history of collisions or other safety violations.
• Red Flags: It matters whether or not a broker knew or should have known about red flags that suggested a certain carrier was not qualified.
• Insurance: It matters whether or not brokers confirmed that the carriers they are selecting were properly licensed and insured.

If a broker selects a carrier with a history of safety violations or that failed to comply with safety standards, this could serve as evidence of negligence. Brokers can no longer claim to be disconnected from the chain of accountability after a serious collision. Part of the issue in these types of cases is that many truck companies will take certain measures to obscure their safety record. This will include changing the name of their company and federal registration number. However, this “new company” will often be made up of the exact same people. The safety issues that were present before are still present.

Steps to Take After Georgia Truck Accidents

Truck accidents remain a leading cause of preventable injury and death across Georgia. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, “In 2021, 14 percent of all traffic fatalities involved at least one large truck— 244 persons were fatally injured. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of traffic fatalities involving large trucks increased by 4 percent, from 153 fatalities in 2020.” Any person affected by a Georgia semi-truck accident should take several measures to protect their rights.

• Police Report: The police report created after the accident should be sought and reviewed.
• Safety History: The safety history of the truck company involved should be scrutinized.
• Medical Records: All of the medical records related to injuries should be collected.
• Legal Review: Victims should seek a legal review by a team experienced in accident reconstruction and negligence claims.

It can be hard to know where to begin after being injured in an accident involving a commercial truck. Many victims are left with life-altering injuries that impair their ability to work or perform everyday tasks. Unfortunately, truck companies and their brokers have demonstrated time and again that they will do everything in their power to avoid legal responsibility for these collisions. This is why it is so important that accident victims consider all of their legal options with an experienced attorney.

Investigating Georgia Truck Accidents

We at Butler Kahn were very pleased to learn that SCOTUS sided with the plaintiff seriously injured in this collision. For far too long, truck brokers have evaded liability for serious injury collisions. When safety regulations are being ignored or overlooked across the transportation industry, there needs to be accountability.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Georgia semi-truck accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected through skilled advocacy. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at 678-940-1444.

Jeb Butler

Jeb Butler’s career as a Georgia trial lawyer has led to a $150 million verdict in a product liability case against Chrysler for a dangerous vehicle design that caused the death of a child, a $45 million settlement for a young man who permanently lost the ability to walk and talk, and numerous other verdicts and settlements, many of which are confidential at the defendant’s insistence. Jeb has worked on several cases that led to systemic changes and improvements in public safety. He has been repeatedly recognized as a Georgia SuperLawyer and ranks among Georgia’s legal elite. Jeb graduated in the top 10% of his class at UGA Law, argued on the National Moot Court team, and published in the Law Review. He is the founding partner of Butler Kahn law firm. Connect with me on LinkedIn