Catastrophic Trucking Litigation

The Broker Picked the Carrier. The Carrier Killed Your Family.

Reviewed by Jason Hicks on May 10, 2026|Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Freight brokers select the carriers that haul loads on Oklahoma highways. When a broker negligently selects an unsafe carrier, and that carrier causes a catastrophic crash, the broker can be held liable.

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Case focus

Catastrophic Trucking Litigation

Freight brokers select the carriers that haul loads on Oklahoma highways. When a broker negligently selects an unsafe carrier, and that carrier causes a catastrophic crash, the broker can be held liable.

Proof track

Did the broker check the carrier's safety record before assigning the load?

Carrier safety ratings, crash history, and inspection data are publicly available to brokers.

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01

What Is Freight Broker Liability?

A freight broker is a middleman that connects shippers with motor carriers. The broker does not own trucks or employ drivers — it selects and assigns carriers to haul loads. When a broker negligently selects an unsafe carrier — one with a poor safety record, inadequate insurance, unqualified drivers, or a history of violations — and that carrier causes a crash, the broker can be held liable for its negligent selection.

02

How We Prove Broker Negligence

  • FMCSA Safety Data: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration publishes carrier safety ratings, crash histories, inspection results, and driver fitness scores through its Safety Measurement System. This data is freely available to brokers — failure to check it is evidence of negligent selection.
  • Carrier Vetting Procedures: We investigate whether the broker had carrier vetting procedures and whether those procedures were followed for the specific load at issue.
  • Broker-Carrier Agreement: The contract between the broker and carrier may contain safety requirements, insurance minimums, and indemnification provisions that bear on liability.
  • Pattern of Selecting Unsafe Carriers: Has the broker previously selected carriers with poor safety records? A pattern strengthens the negligence claim.

03

Why Broker Liability Matters

In many catastrophic truck crash cases, the motor carrier has minimal insurance (the FMCSA minimum is $750,000 for general freight) and few assets. The freight broker, however, may be a large, well-capitalized company with significant insurance coverage. Adding the broker as a defendant can dramatically increase the available recovery for the injured family.

⚠️ Time-CriticalBroker-carrier communications, load assignment records, and carrier vetting documentation must be preserved immediately. These records establish the broker's knowledge of the carrier's safety record at the time of selection.

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Common Questions

Can a freight broker be sued for a truck crash?

Yes, if the broker was negligent in selecting the carrier. Courts have held that brokers have a duty to exercise reasonable care in selecting carriers, including checking publicly available safety data from the FMCSA.

How do I know if a broker was involved in my crash?

The bill of lading, shipping documents, and carrier records will identify whether a freight broker arranged the load. We investigate the entire chain of custody — from shipper to broker to carrier to driver — to identify all liable parties.