The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a unanimous ruling that freight brokers can be held liable for hiring trucking companies that employ dangerous or foreign drivers if those drivers cause an accident.

The decision centers on Shawn Montgomery, who lost part of his leg in a crash caused by a speeding semi-truck driver with a history of careless driving and previous crashes. Montgomery argued he should be allowed to sue C.H. Robinson, one of America’s largest freight brokers, for liability. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Montgomery.

Montgomery’s lawsuit claimed the trucker had been cited for careless driving months earlier and that the carrier he worked for was involved in at least three crashes within a five-month span. The case highlighted C.H. Robinson’s role in placing the driver on the road despite what Montgomery described as “serious red flags.”

Justice Amy Coney Barrett authored the opinion, overturning a lower court ruling that had favored C.H. Robinson. The justices determined federal law does not shield freight brokers from state negligence lawsuits when they negligently hire unsafe drivers. This decision establishes that brokers can face liability if their hiring practices lead to accidents involving dangerous or foreign drivers who violate commercial driver license rules.

The Transportation Intermediaries Association, a trade group representing freight brokers, called the ruling “deeply disappointing.” Chris Burroughs, its president and CEO, compared it to asking travel agents to evaluate airline safety despite federal licensing. Over 20 states supported Montgomery’s appeal, arguing increased liability for brokers would enhance road safety in an industry that moves billions of tons of goods annually.