If you drive on I-65, I-64, or any of the major trucking corridors through southern Indiana and Kentucky, you know the risks. Massive semi-trucks share the roads with families in minivans, commuters, and everyday drivers. When a broker cuts corners on safety to save a buck, innocent people pay the price — sometimes with their lives or limbs.
On May 15, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a unanimous decision that could change the game for truck accident victims across our region.
What Happened in the Case?
In 2017, Shawn Montgomery was sitting in a parked vehicle on an Illinois highway when a speeding semi-truck slammed into him, costing him part of his leg. The truck was arranged by C.H. Robinson, the nation’s largest freight broker.
Montgomery sued the broker, arguing they ignored serious red flags:
- The driver had a recent careless driving citation.
- The carrier company had multiple recent crashes.
Lower courts had thrown out the case, saying federal law protected the broker. The Supreme Court said no — these state-law negligence claims can move forward. Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote the opinion, opening the door for victims to hold freight brokers accountable when they negligently select unsafe carriers.
Why This Matters to Indiana & Kentucky Families
Our area sees heavy truck traffic connecting the Midwest, South, and East Coast. Freight brokers arrange thousands of loads daily, often prioritizing speed and low cost over safety.
This ruling means:
- Brokers can no longer hide behind federal preemption as easily.
- Victims (and their families) have a stronger path to full compensation — including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
- Expect brokers to start vetting carriers more carefully on safety records, which could make our highways safer for everyone.
This decision has major ripple effects for trucking and logistics cases right here in New Albany, Louisville, Jeffersonville, Clarksville, and throughout Indiana and Kentucky.
If You or a Loved One Has Been Hurt in a Truck Accident, You Need an Experienced Fighter in Your Corner
At Sedwick Law, PC, I’ve spent nearly 23 years fighting for injured people against powerful companies — including in complex truck and freight broker cases. I’m licensed in both Indiana and Kentucky, and I focus almost exclusively on serious injury and wrongful death cases.
I know how to:
- Investigate broker and carrier safety records.
- Take on big insurance companies and corporations.
- Build strong cases that get results.
Whether your crash involved a negligent truck driver, an unsafe carrier, or a freight broker who looked the other way, I’m ready to help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Don’t let the insurance companies or big logistics firms push you around. Call or text me today at 877-890-5090 for a free consultation. I serve clients throughout southern Indiana and Kentucky, and I work on contingency — you pay nothing unless I win for you.
Marc Sedwick , Serious Injury & Trial Lawyer , Sedwick Law, PC , New Albany, Indiana Licensed in Indiana & Kentucky Serving Floyd, Clark, Harrison counties and beyond.
Let’s make sure trucking companies and brokers put safety first — starting with justice for you.
Marc Sedwick, Esq.*
SedwickLaw, P.C.
229 W. Spring St.
New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 944-7670
(812) 944-7674 (fax)
(877) 890-5090 (Toll free)
www.marcsedwick.com
* Licensed in Indiana & Kentucky