Plain-English summary
Court: state negligent-hiring claims for truck crashes are not preempted by federal law
The Court unanimously held that a state-law negligence claim against a company that hired another to transport goods is not preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (FAAAA) because the Act preserves state authority to regulate safety “with respect to motor vehicles.” The Seventh Circuit judgment was reversed and the case remanded for further proceedings consistent with that holding.
Why this matters
The decision clarifies that federal transportation preemption in the FAAAA does not sweep away state-law safety-based claims against shippers, brokers, or others who hire motor carriers. That preserves a path for injured people to seek accountability under state negligence rules when a party’s hiring or supervision practices contributed to a crash.
Who may feel it
- People injured in vehicle or trucking crashes who seek recovery under state negligence laws
- Shippers, brokers, freight forwarders, and companies that hire motor carriers
- Truck drivers and motor carriers concerned about third-party liability
- Insurers and commercial transportation businesses managing risk and compliance
Key questions
- Does the FAAAA preempt a state-law negligent-hiring claim against a company that contracted for transportation services?