Understanding Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
In the United States, there are 13.5 million registered trucks that weigh over 10,000 pounds on the roads. These trucks are essential to the American economy, ensuring that business owners have merchandise and that consumers get the goods they’ve ordered. As useful as they are, semi-trucks can also be dangerous — especially if they’re carrying a heavier load than they should be.
If you’ve suffered losses in an accident in Houston, TX, that occurred because a truck was overloaded, knowing about the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) can be crucial. At Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers, we can help you understand and protect your rights after a crash. Contact our Texas truck accident lawyers at (713) 500-5000 for a free initial consultation to learn more.
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How Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Truck Accident in Houston, TX
Commercial trucks are heavy vehicles that exert a lot of force. If they collide with a passenger car, the smaller vehicle will take the full brunt of that force. This leads to totaled vehicles and potentially catastrophic consequences for those traveling within. After suffering injuries, the best thing you can do is to contact Houston personal injury lawyers to help you get compensation.
At Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers, our services include:
- Assessing your claim during a free consultation
- Investigating the accident
- Gathering evidence, including witness testimonies
- Negotiating with insurance companies for a settlement
- Taking your case to court if a settlement isn’t possible
Our team has over 45 years of combined legal experience, including a proven track record of helping clients recover compensation after serious collisions. If you’re suffering because of someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct, we can fight for you. Contact our truck accident attorneys in Houston, Texas, to speak with experienced counsel.
What Is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating?
GVWR refers to the maximum amount a truck can weigh and still operate safely on public roads. It includes fuel, passengers, and cargo. The GVWR is established by the chassis manufacturer.
To determine the gross vehicle weight rating, you have to consider the following factors:
- The truck’s weight when it’s empty
- The weight of the cargo being loaded
- The weight of passengers, fuel, and accessories
The maximum weight for any truck is usually found on a label on the inside door frame or in the vehicle’s manual. Truckers and trucking companies have to be fully aware of the rating to ensure that the vehicle operates safely.
Exceeding the GVWR significantly decreases a truck’s lifespan because it stresses the vehicle’s components. It’s also very dangerous for the trucker and others sharing the road. If the truck is overloaded, the brake system can be less effective, and the transmission and suspension will also not function at their best. Tires can burst, too, sending the truck careening across the road.
Overloaded trucks can also spill cargo onto the road or even cause the road to buckle because of the excess weight. That’s particularly dangerous on bridges and raised highways.
Who Could Be Liable For a Truck Accident Involving an Exceeded GVWR?
Because an exceeded GVWR puts such a strain on the truck, it’s easy to see why accidents occur. It’s less simple, however, to know who’s liable for those crashes.
The first element to look at is how the truck driver behaved and what they knew. If they were aware that the truck had been overloaded and took no action, they could be held responsible for the accident. However, it’s rarely only the drivers who are to blame.
The trucking company may be liable, too, if it knowingly overloaded the truck. Having a lawyer to prove this is essential because corporations will be ready to deny that they knew anything about how the truck was loaded.
Sometimes, the company has a third party doing the loading. If this third party cuts corners and exceeds the GVWR, it could be responsible for an accident. In some instances, all parties involved may have known that the truck was overloaded, allowing us to pursue claims against them.
Contact Our Houston Truck Accident Lawyers For a Free Case Evaluation
Truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries like brain trauma and fractures. If you’ve been in a collision with a truck because it was overloaded, you need qualified attorneys to help you through the process of filing a claim. At Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers, we have decades of experience representing people who’ve been injured in Houston truck accidents.
We will work tirelessly to understand who’s responsible for the collision, beginning with gathering evidence and investigating exactly what each party knew. Don’t wait another moment to receive the help you need. Call our experienced Houston truck accident attorneys to schedule a free consultation.
