Supreme Court Decision in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC (2026): A Textualist Victory for State Safety Authority

In a unanimous opinion authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the U.S. Supreme Court correctly held that the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (FAAAA) does not preempt state-law negligent hiring claims against freight brokers. The Court properly focused on the statute’s plain text—particularly the safety exception preserving states’ authority to regulate “with respect to motor vehicles.”

This decision prioritizes the ordinary meaning of the statutory language as understood by the public at the time of enactment, rather than broad judicial policy-making or expansive federal preemption. By recognizing that a broker’s duty of reasonable care in selecting carriers directly “concerns” the trucks and highways involved in interstate transport, the Court respected Congress’s explicit carve-out for safety while rejecting overbroad interpretations that would have insulated brokers from accountability.

For victims of negligent trucking operations, this ruling reinforces traditional common-law protections and state authority over highway safety—an area historically left to the states absent clear federal displacement. It serves as a reminder that federal deregulation should not become a shield for reckless practices that endanger the public.

At Wator & Associates, P.C., we continue to advocate for injured clients and hold all responsible parties accountable under the law. Contact us for experienced representation in personal injury and trucking cases across Illinois.