In the event of an accident, the driver of the overweight vehicle may be held responsible for any damages caused to other vehicles, property, or persons. This is because the driver was operating the vehicle in an unsafe manner, and their negligence caused the accident. In some cases, the driver of the overweight vehicle may even be held criminally liable for the accident, if it resulted in serious injuries or death.
It is important to be aware of the weight rating of your vehicle, and to never exceed it. Doing so can put you, your passengers, and other road users at risk.