Knight-Swift CEO says the broker liability ruling could favor safe carriers
Transport Topics reports Knight-Swift CEO Adam Miller said Oct. 21 that the Montgomery broker liability ruling is shifting the market to better favor safe carriers.
What happened
On Knight-Swift's third-quarter earnings call on Oct. 21, CEO Adam Miller said the Supreme Court's Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II ruling is setting needed barriers to entry for carriers. He said the market is shifting to better favor safe carriers. Transport Topics reports he said much of the growth in past upcycles came from very small carriers, and many of those did not follow the rules as closely as large carriers have had to. Knight-Swift has started offering market-based pricing to small independent owners who pass its screening.
Why it matters
The Supreme Court ruled in May that federal law does not shield freight brokers from state negligent-hiring lawsuits. Transport Topics reported in August that brokers are reviewing how they vet carriers, and transportation lawyer Greg Feary said small carriers with one to five trucks that lack the staff or resources to meet tougher vetting will be most at risk.
What to consider
Keep your safety record, driver files and insurance filings current, since Transport Topics reports brokers are reviewing how they vet carriers. Check your SMS safety data · Check your SAFER company snapshot · What brokers check before they load you
Sources
Reporting and records credited to the sources above, Oct. 22, 2026. We link to the original and add what it means for carriers.
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