what is gvwr

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) Explained

what is gvwr

California boasts one of the nation’s most extensive freight distribution networks and has close to 2 million freight-hauling trucks traversing its roadways. Many of these trucks are carrying loads that exceed their gross vehicle weight rating (GWVR). These overloaded trucks pose a significant danger to others traveling the state’s highways.

So, what is GVWR, and what does it mean in a truck accident? A vehicle’s GWVR is the total amount of weight that the vehicle can support and still operate safely. Manufacturers assign each vehicle a GVWR based on an assessment of the vehicle’s load-bearing components.

When a vehicle’s load exceeds its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), it can affect the safe operation of the vehicle, which can lead to accidents. If the vehicle is a large commercial truck, exceeding the GVWR not only increases the risk of accidents but can also increase the severity of the injuries for those involved.

What Is the Significance of GVWR?

All vehicles are assigned a GVWR by their manufacturers. That information lets the vehicle owner know how much weight can be added to the weight of the vehicle while still permitting safe operation. The GVWR consists of the weight of the vehicle plus an additional amount of weight that can be allocated to trailer tongue weight, passengers, or cargo.

The weight of the vehicle with all fluids full is known as the curb weight. The curb weight is the weight of the vehicle when ready to drive but without any added weight.

If a vehicle’s GVWR is 5,000 pounds and the vehicle’s curb weight is 3,800 pounds, it means the vehicle can safely operate with additional passengers or cargo weighing up to 1,200 pounds.

Do GVWR and GVW Mean the Same Thing?

No, GVWR and GVW can be different weights. GVWR is a safety standard based on an assessment of the load capacity of a vehicle. It doesn’t change unless updated by the manufacturer.

The gross vehicle

exceeding gvwr

weight (GVW) is the actual weight of the vehicle, including passengers and cargo. At any one time, a vehicle’s actual GVW may be more or less than the manufacturer’s GVWR.

How Does GVWR Compare to GCWR?

The GVWR is the maximum weight for a vehicle loaded with passengers and cargo. It does not include the weight of a trailer being towed by the vehicle. The gross combined weight rating (GCWR) is the maximum weight for the loaded vehicle plus the loaded trailer.

Potential Risks When Vehicles Exceed the GVWR

When a vehicle is carrying more weight than is considered safe, it can interfere with its efficient operation and cause damage. Vehicles that are too heavy can also strain roadway structures, such as ramps and bridges, that are not designed to support heavier loads, making the roads less safe for everyone.

Vehicles cannot operate as they are intended to when they are overweight. Exceeding the GVWR can:

  • Overburden a vehicle’s engine
  • Make braking less efficient and extend the distance necessary to stop safely
  • Cause the suspension system to wear prematurely
  • Increase the risk of tire blowouts
  • Make it harder for the driver to handle the vehicle
  • Compromise the structural safety of the vehicle

Commercial Truck Weight Restrictions in California

The California Vehicle Code (VC) proscribes the total gross weight of commercial vehicles depending on the number of axles and the distance between groups of axles. There are weight maximums per axle and groups of axles. The maximum allowed total gross weight of any vehicle is 80,000 pounds.

There is an exception for zero-emission or near-zero-emission vehicles pursuant to federal law. Vehicles powered primarily by natural gas (as opposed to diesel) are allowed a total gross vehicle weight of 82,000 pounds.

Legal Penalties for Exceeding the GVWR

Commercial vehicles that are found to be overweight face criminal penalties as well as additional fines. Violating the weight limit is a misdemeanor in California, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine under Code Section 42030. The VC imposes additional fines based on the number of pounds of excess weight.

The prospect of penalties and fines for exceeding weight limits does not seem to be a significant deterrent to many trucking companies.

California ranks among the top states for truck weight violations. The desire to move more freight faster and the relatively mild consequences for violating weight restrictions may encourage risking overload violations.

How Overweight Trucks Contribute to Trucking Accidents in California

overweight truck accidentWhen trucks exceed the GVWR, they increase the risk of causing an accident. Overloading a truck can cause excessive wear on the truck, and the additional weight can make it hard for the driver to maintain control of the vehicle. Overweight vehicles damage the roads and create hazards for other drivers.

At a legal maximum weight of 80,000 pounds, large trucks already outweigh the average passenger vehicle by about 75,000 pounds. If a truck’s brakes are not able to stop it or the weight of the truck overpowers the driver’s ability to control it, the result can be deadly for the occupants of smaller vehicles.

Overloading a truck can affect the ability to control the vehicle – especially when unexpected circumstances arise. Heavy load shifts can cause a truck to lose balance and increase the likelihood of a rollover or jackknife accident. Excessive weight also increases the incidence of tire blowouts.

Overweight trucks damage roadway infrastructure that is not sufficiently strong to support the additional weight. According to the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, overweight vehicles are responsible for 60% of the state’s road network damage.

Establishing Liability in a Trucking Accident with an Overloaded Truck

When a large truck is involved in an accident, it usually takes some investigation to determine if the truck exceeded the GVWR and how the excess weight contributed to the crash. If the victim’s attorney can show the truck was overloaded, the focus then shifts to determining who was responsible for exceeding the allowable weight limit.

The truck’s driver, the trucking company, a third-party company responsible for loading the truck, and possibly a weigh station that fails to obtain the truck’s accurate weight – could all have some liability for the damage caused by an overweight truck.

In addition to liability for the injuries caused, the truck driver and the trucking company could face criminal penalties and other fines. The truck driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) could also be revoked.

Who to Contact if You’re Injured in a Truck Accident in California

Though California is among the states with the lowest percentage of large trucks involved in fatal crashes, the National Safety Council (NSC) reports that the Golden State has the second-largest number of fatalities resulting from those accidents. The unfortunate reality is that truck accidents in California often result in devastating injuries, and 70% of these crashes kill occupants in other vehicles.

At Curtis Legal Group, we understand the uphill battle people can face trying to obtain compensation after being injured in a truck accident. Our Sacramento truck accident lawyers are skilled advocates who know how to establish liability and get our clients the compensation they are entitled to. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact Curtis Legal Group and put California’s legal Heavy Hitters™ to work for you.