If a vehicle is overloaded, which party cannot be held accountable?

In the context of overloading a vehicle, the operator may not be held accountable primarily because the responsibility for properly loading the vehicle typically rests with the shipper. The shipper is responsible for ensuring that the load is within legal weight limits before it is dispatched. This includes accurately calculating weight based on the cargo being loaded and ensuring that it is properly secured.

The driver, who operates the vehicle, has a duty to verify that the load complies with legal regulations and is safe for transport. Therefore, they can be held accountable if they knowingly accept an overloaded vehicle. Similarly, the receiver may also incur responsibility if they are the ones requesting or expecting the shipment to be loaded beyond its capacity.

In contrast, the operator, unless they are also the driver or the shipper, does not engage with the logistics of loading the vehicle and is not typically involved in the decision-making process regarding weight limits. This is why the operator may not be held accountable for an overloaded situation.