Auto wreckers, also known as tow trucks, assist in cleaning up accidents and removing wrecked or inoperable vehicles from the road. They may take vehicles to repair centers or salvage yards to salvage usable parts or sell the metal for recycling. Some auto wreckers offer free removal of unwanted vehicles and may benefit financially from the resale of parts.
It may seem like ‘car wreckers’ spend their days crashing into cars, but they’re actually called after the fact. The terms “auto wreckers” and “tow trucks” can be used interchangeably, but not all automotive wreckers use towing equipment to remove wrecked or inoperable vehicles from the road. Tow trucks may also have a different destination than wreckers. It all depends on the destination of the vehicles involved.
Whenever an accident occurs, first responders will typically call in automatic destroyers to assist in cleanup efforts. Often several local towing services are dispatched in rotation to handle these emergency calls. Wrecker truck drivers will likely sweep up glass and other road debris, then deal with gasoline spills and other dangerous situations. Finally, wreckers will take crashed vehicles to designated repair centers or impound lots. Sometimes the vehicles can be attached to standard tow trucks and transported to the garage, but other times the entire vehicle must be lifted onto a flatbed trailer.
Wreckers are not always associated with local car service centers or garages. Many wreckers take wrecked or inoperable vehicles out into a large open field with hundreds of other cars. Employees at these wrecking yards spend much of their time salvaging usable parts for resale. If the owner’s insurance company declares the wrecked vehicle a total loss, an auto wrecking service may take ownership of the carcass. Even if few salvageable parts remain, the metal can be sold to scrap dealers for recycling.
Automated wreckers may also be called in to remove unwanted vehicles from private owners. This service can be offered free of charge, as the salvage company often benefits financially from the resale of parts. Others may offer a nominal payment for property papers and expensive parts like batteries and radiators. Wrecked vehicle sales are considered final, so make sure all personal valuables and important documents have been removed before car wreckers get involved.
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