When a poorly vetted trucking company causes a serious crash, the trucking operator is rarely the only party responsible, but they are often the only one held accountable. A landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2026 changed that for Ohio accident victims by allowing negligent hiring claims against the freight brokers who hired them.
Large commercial tractor-trailers are a constant presence on Ohio highways, and the industry increasingly relies on third-party freight brokers to arrange cargo transportation. When brokers prioritize cost over safety and hire carriers without reviewing their safety records, hours-of-service compliance, or vehicle maintenance history, the consequences can be severe, and the legal landscape for holding them accountable just shifted significantly.
The Supreme Court’s decision in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport
For years, freight brokers facing state-law negligence claims pointed to the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (FAAAA) as a federal preemption shield, arguing that state personal injury laws did not apply to their logistics operations. On May 14, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC that rejected this defense.
The Court held that state-law negligent hiring claims against freight brokers fall within the FAAAA’s safety exception, because a broker’s duty to exercise reasonable care when selecting a carrier directly relates to motor vehicle safety. The federal preemption argument that had long protected brokers from accountability in state courts no longer applies to these claims.
What this means for Ohio accident victims
Before this ruling, crash victims could typically only pursue the driver and the immediate trucking operator, parties that frequently carry minimal insurance or limited assets. Following this decision, Ohio victims can pursue the freight broker alongside the trucking company.
Large freight brokers generally carry significantly higher insurance coverage and greater financial resources than the operators they hire. This expanded framework gives seriously injured victims a more realistic path to recovering the full scope of their medical expenses, long-term rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering damages.
Acting within Ohio’s legal timeframe
Ohio law sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, measured from the date of the accident. If your accident occurred within that window, this decision may significantly expand the parties available to pursue in your case.
If you or a family member has been injured in a commercial vehicle collision in Ohio, an experienced Ohio personal injury attorney can evaluate whether a freight broker bears responsibility and advise on how this ruling applies to your specific circumstances.