Could Federal Law Prevent Me from Filing a Florida Truck Accident Lawsuit?
Accidents involving commercial semi-trucks often raise a host of legal issues that are not present in more routine car accidents. One reason for this is that the federal government regulates interstate trucking. And under certain conditions this can override or “preempt” state laws affecting a person’s right to sue one of these federally regulated companies.
Florida Appeals Court Revives Wrongful Death Case Against Transport Broker
The Florida Second District Court of Appeal recently addressed such a case. This lawsuit, Simon v. Coyote Logistics, LLC, involved the death of a man in a tractor-trailer accident. According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the victim’s estate, the victim’s car collided with the semi-truck. The lawsuit named a number of defendants, including Anheuser-Busch, the company that hired the truck (to transport beer); the company that served as Anheuser-Busch’s transportation broker; and the trucking company hired by the broker to conduct the actual transport.
The estate’s wrongful death lawsuit alleged that the transportation broker was negligent in its choice of trucking company. Specifically, the estate pointed to the lack of “operable safety equipment” on the semi-truck, such as taillights and brake lights. In response, the broker argued the estate’s legal claims were preempted by a federal statute, the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (FAAAA).
Congress adopted the FAAAA in 1994. As relevant to this case, the statute preempts individual states, such as Florida, from adopting or enforcing any regulation “related to a price, route, or service” maintained by any transportation broker with respect to interstate transport of goods. However, the FAAAA does not “restrict the safety regulatory authority of a State with respect to motor vehicles.”
The estate argued this safety exception saved its lawsuit from preemption. The trial court disagreed and granted the broker’s motion to dismiss the case at summary judgment. On appeal, the Second District reversed and held the estate could proceed with its case.
As the appellate court explained, the trial court incorrectly held that the “safety exception” did not apply to brokers. The existence of the exception demonstrated that Congress intended to “preserve the States’ broad power over safety.” And since the estate’s lawsuit arose “out of motor vehicle accident,” which by necessity implicated the safety of a motor vehicle, the broker could not use the FAAAA to preempt this particular lawsuit. (The Second District added that federal appellate courts remain divided on this question, but the United States Supreme Court has yet to issue a definitive ruling.)
Contact a Miami Truck Accident Lawyer Today
It is quite common from lawsuits arising from truck accidents to involve multiple individual and corporate defendants. This is where working with an experienced Miami truck accident lawyer can make a significant difference for victims seeking compensation. At Pita Weber Del Prado, our team knows how to properly investigate these kinds of crashes and deal with multiple defendants and insurance companies. So if you need legal advice or representation in connection with a commercial semi-truck crash, call us today at 305-670-2889 to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
flcourts-media.flcourts.gov/content/download/2470085/opinion/Opinion_2023-2775.pdf
