Some people seem to think that as long as their cargo fits and the vehicle moves that it’s perfectly acceptable to drive around with a load that’s far too heavy for their car or truck. Unfortunately, this results in a significant number of fatal accidents each year. In California alone, it’s estimated that about 25% of deadly collisions in 2010 were a result of drivers trying to avoid an obstacle in the road, often due to lost payloads.
How Much Can You Carry?
All vehicles from passenger cars to heavy-duty pickup trucks to big rigs are designed to perform under very specific conditions including maximum load and towing capacities. In almost every case, the vehicle’s manufacturer determines these numbers and provides these specifications to both owners and operators.
The gross vehicle weight rating, or GVWR, indicates the maximum amount of weight that the vehicle can safely support. This includes the weight of the vehicle, cargo, passengers and even the fuel and fluids. The maximum gross trailer weight, or MGTW, is the maximum amount of weight that the vehicle can safely pull from the trailer hitch. In almost every single case, these numbers are supplied on the title, in the owner’s manual and even on the vehicle’s information sticker.
However, you can’t always go by the numbers. Here are some reasons why it’s not that simple:
- Both factory options and after-market upgrades can increase the weight of the vehicle decreasing the available load weight.
- When using a trailer hitch, many drivers don’t factor in the tongue weight when calculating the load.
- It’s difficult to know exactly how much your passengers weigh or how much your fuel weighs.
Technology is Working on a Solution
To help this troubling situation, a group of concerned entrepreneurs obtained a patent on January 24, 2012 for a new device that automatically evaluates payloads to adjust a vehicle’s suspension, brakes, transmission and other systems to improve both performance and safety. Although this device will be available for both new and existing models, it will not be an excuse to overload your vehicle past the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Every driver, both private and commercial, has a duty and a responsibility to operate their vehicle in a safe manner that conforms to both the manufacturer’s recommendations and their individual vehicle’s capabilities. If you’ve been hurt in an accident that involves an overloaded car or truck, give us a call. As an experienced personal injury attorney in the State of California, we can protect your rights and help you recover the compensation you deserve.