WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on May 14, 2026, that freight brokers can be sued under state negligence law for negligently hiring unsafe motor carriers that later cause crashes. The decision in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC strips the trucking industry’s middlemen of a federal preemption defense that had previously shielded brokers… Read More
A Clear Safety-Exception Victory In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court held that state-law negligent-selection claims against freight brokers are not barred by the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (“FAAAA”) because such claims fall within the Acts safety exception preserving state authority over motor-vehicle safety regulation. In Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC, the Court… Read More
FedEx operates one of the largest delivery networks in the country, and its trucks are a constant presence on Tampa roads. They run between distribution hubs along I-4 and I-75, deliver through residential neighborhoods, and navigate commercial corridors across Hillsborough County. But FedEx is not a single company for liability purposes. It operates through distinct… Read More
In June, a highly publicized trucking accident involving a Wal-Mart tractor-trailer and a luxury bus seriously injured famous comedian/actor Tracy Morgan and several others, while leaving one occupant dead. The fatal truck accident turned national attention back to the matter of the much-debated safety concerns over truck driver fatigue and how to combat it effectively while maintaining fairness… Read More
Over a decade ago, as SUVs grew increasingly in popularity, a researcher with Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (Berkeley Lab) paired with a researcher from the University of Michigan in a unique risk analysis study which revealed that, contrary to conventional wisdom, vehicle quality is a much more significant safety factor than weight for the drivers… Read More
Large commercial trucks or semi-trucks (also referred to as tractor trailers, 18-wheelers, and big rigs) are involved in an average of 500,000 traffic accidents every year, according to the US DOT. Many personal injury and wrongful death claims are filed after someone is injured or killed in an accident with a large truck. Most Common… Read More
Commercial trucks are referred to as commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). This term applies to any large truck with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) over 26,000 lbs. or any bus designed to carry 16 or more passengers. Most people associate the commercial trucks seen regularly on Florida roads as tractor trailers, 18-wheelers, or semi-trucks. Since late… Read More
On December 20th, 2013, Mack Trucks, Inc. issued a consumer safety recall on a number of its commercial trucks. The large trucks have been recalled due to a possible fire risk and/or engine failure risk. The affected units are semi-truck (cab) models. Mack Trucks says the recall affects a total of (35) 2014 CXU tractor… Read More
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) enforces a set of statutes for all commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The Georgia Department of Transportation establishes and enforces certain provisions in support of federal USDOT regulations and enforces basic provisions at the state level such as registration, safety inspections, weigh stations, and tags. Like Florida and most other… Read More
On Friday November 22rd, a motorcyclist was killed in a traffic accident after sunset. The man riding the motorcycle apparently turned left right in front of an oncoming pickup truck on 54th Avenue North in St. Petersburg, according to accident details provided by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). The rider was Ward Fouts Balcerzak, age… Read More
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