Trucking broker can face lawsuit over fatal crash, Supreme Court rules

Politics Supreme Court rules trucking broker can be held responsible for using dangerous haulers By John Kelly, John Kelly Vice President of Data Journalism John Kelly is an investigative journalist and the vice president of Data Journalism for CBS News and Stations. Read Full Bio John Kelly, Michael Kaplan, Michael Kaplan Reporter and Producer Michael Kaplan is an award-winning reporter and producer for the CBS News Investigative Unit. He specializes in securing scoops and crafting long-form television investigations. His work has appeared on "60 Minutes," CNN and in The New York Times. Read Full Bio Michael Kaplan, Jim Axelrod Jim Axelrod Chief Correspondent and Executive Editor, "Eye on America" Jim Axelrod is the chief correspondent and executive editor for CBS News' "Eye on America" franchise, part of the "CBS Evening News." He also reports for "CBS Mornings," "CBS News Sunday Morning," and CBS News 24/7. Read Full Bio Jim Axelrod May 14, 2026 / 4:23 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday that a man maimed in a tractor-trailer crash could sue the broker who arranged the load, a major win for highway safety advocates who have sounded alarms about record numbers of deaths and injuries in collisions with unsafe trucks.A CBS News investigation last month revealed the widespread scope — and deadly consequences — of the explosion in demand for overland shipping, in part because more people shop online, and the strain that demand has placed on America's trucking fleet.The high court rejected arguments from the trucking industry that it would be unfair and burdensome to hold big logistics companies responsible for screening the safety backgrounds of the haulers they work with.The court's unanimous decision clears the way for the continuation of a lawsuit by Shawn Montgomery, who lost part of his leg when a speeding truck driver slammed into his parked vehicle in Illinois in 2017. Montgomery sued C.H. Robinson,...