Truck safety claims against brokers
Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II
In brief
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the FAAAA does not block Montgomery's state-law lawsuit against the broker, overturned the Seventh Circuit's ruling, and sent the case back to that court (remanded).
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 9-0 · May 14, 2026 · Opinion by Justice Barrett
- What it’s about
- The Court unanimously ruled for Shawn Montgomery, holding that the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act does not block a state-law claim that a freight broker negligently selected a motor carrier.
- Who it affects
- The ruling means the FAAAA does not block this type of state safety lawsuit because the law preserves state authority over motor-vehicle safety. Montgomery's case returns to the Seventh Circuit for further proceedings under that rule.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Court said the claim falls within the law’s exception preserving state authority over motor-vehicle safety, and it reversed the Seventh Circuit’s judgment.
It addresses the balance between federal trucking rules and States' power to protect motor-vehicle safety.
Question presented
Does 49 U.S.C. § 14501(c) preempt a state common-law claim against a broker for negligently selecting a motor carrier or driver?
What the Court decided
Holding
A claim that one company negligently hired another to transport goods is not preempted by the FAAAA because States retain authority to regulate safety “with respect to motor vehicles” under the Act. 124 F. 4th 1053, reversed and remanded.
- Result
- Reversed
The vote
What's next
Montgomery's case returns to the Seventh Circuit for further proceedings under the Supreme Court's ruling (remanded). Lower courts can apply the same rule to similar state lawsuits against freight brokers involving motor-vehicle safety.
Docket activity
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More questions
- What did the Supreme Court decide in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II?
- It ruled that the FAAAA does not block a state lawsuit alleging that a freight broker negligently chose a trucking company or driver.
- How did the Court explain that federal law did not block Montgomery's lawsuit?
- The Court said the lawsuit concerns motor-vehicle safety, an area where States retain authority under the FAAAA.
- What happened to the Seventh Circuit's ruling?
- The Court overturned it and sent Montgomery's case back to the Seventh Circuit (remanded).
- What happens next in Montgomery's case?
- The case returns to the Seventh Circuit for further proceedings; the ruling addressed whether federal law blocks the claim, not the broker's ultimate liability.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.