What is Accident Recovery?
Accident recovery involves the safe and strategic removal of vehicles that are damaged or disabled in road incidents. This service requires skilled operators, specialized tow trucks, and often advanced equipment to stabilize and tow vehicles safely. Accident recovery teams can manage anything from simple car accidents to complex commercial vehicle incidents, such as overturned trailers or buses stuck in precarious positions. The goal is not only to clear the scene but to do so in a way that minimizes further damage to the vehicles and prevents secondary accidents or hazards.
Some Specialized Trucks Used in Accident Recovery
- Hydraulic Rotators
- Purpose: These are some of the most advanced vehicles in accident recovery, featuring a hydraulic crane that can rotate 360 degrees, making it easier to maneuver large vehicles out of tight spaces.
- Example Models:
- Miller Industries Century 75-ton Rotator – Designed for heavy-duty recoveries, this truck can manage large trucks like tankers or heavy-duty trailers.
- Jerr-Dan 50/60 Rotator – With a powerful crane arm and stabilization legs, it’s often used when vehicles are overturned on highways or off-road.
- Sling Tow Trucks
- Purpose: Sling tow trucks, also known as hook-and-chain trucks, were traditionally used for recovery but are now reserved for heavy-duty recoveries due to the potential for vehicle damage. These trucks are often utilized in cases where the vehicle is severely damaged and precision isn’t as critical.
- Example Models:
- International 4700 Hook and Chain Tow Truck – A sturdy, versatile model often found in rural or challenging terrains.
- Ford F750 Hook and Chain Wrecker – Often used in areas where space is tight, like city streets or industrial zones.
- Boom Trucks
- Purpose: Boom trucks have an extendable arm that’s useful for pulling vehicles out of difficult situations, like ditches or embankments. They can handle both medium and heavy-duty vehicles, depending on their size and winch capacity.
- Example Models:
- Peterbilt 567 Boom Tow Truck – Known for reliability in harsh conditions, it’s often deployed for larger vehicles like buses or RVs.
- Mack Granite Boom Truck – A favorite in the industry for construction zones or rural recoveries, it has a strong winch system ideal for lifting.
- Low-Profile Rollback Trucks
- Purpose: Low-profile rollback trucks offer a lower bed for easy loading of smaller vehicles, and they are particularly effective in urban settings or where there’s minimal ground clearance. These trucks are ideal for accident recovery in parking structures or narrow streets.
- Example Models:
- Chevrolet 6500XD Low Profile Rollback – Often used for passenger cars or small SUVs in accident scenarios, especially in compact city spaces.
- Hino 268A Flatbed Tow Truck – A reliable choice for lower clearance situations, commonly used in dense urban areas.
- Heavy-Duty Integrated Tow Trucks
- Purpose: These trucks combine features of boom and wheel-lift tow trucks, allowing them to handle large, commercial vehicles while keeping them stable. Ideal for highway accidents involving tractor-trailers, these trucks provide secure recovery without the need for separate lifts or cranes.
- Example Models:
- Volvo VNL Integrated Tow Truck – Known for its heavy-duty capabilities, it’s often used for pulling large commercial trucks from major roadways.
- Freightliner Cascadia Tow Truck – Equipped with reinforced axles and a high-capacity boom, it’s effective for recovering loaded semi-trailers and buses.
Common Accident Recovery Scenarios
- Overturned Tractor-Trailer – When a fully loaded tractor-trailer overturns on the highway, it often requires multiple tow trucks, including a rotator wrecker to lift and right the trailer. This scenario also frequently calls for hydraulic rotators like the Miller Industries Century 1150R to carefully maneuver the trailer back onto its wheels without spilling cargo.
- Bus Stuck in a Ditch – Large passenger buses that slide off the road in snowy or icy conditions often need boom trucks for their pulling capacity and rotator wreckers for added stability. The Peterbilt 567 Boom Truck can be paired with a Jerr-Dan Rotator to manage both the heavy lifting and the safe extraction of the bus.
- Rollover on Mountainous Roads – For heavy-duty trucks that roll over on steep or narrow roads, a combination of low-profile rollbacks and sling tow trucks can secure the vehicle and tow it down safely. The Mack Granite Boom Truck works well in rugged conditions, while an International 4700 Hook and Chain Tow Truck may also be needed to stabilize the truck during recovery.
- Multiple Vehicle Collision in Urban Areas – In crowded areas with limited space, recovery teams often rely on compact, low-profile rollback trucks, like the Hino 268A, to move damaged passenger vehicles and clear roadways quickly. In these cases, speed and minimal additional damage are priorities, as accident recovery teams work to keep traffic flowing.
- Heavy Equipment Accident at a Construction Site – When construction machinery like bulldozers or excavators is involved in an accident, heavy-duty boom trucks are often deployed. The Kenworth T880 with a heavy-duty boom is an example of the type of truck that can tow large equipment from construction sites safely and effectively.
Accident recovery is crucial for maintaining safe and clear roads, particularly in high-traffic or hazardous locations. These specialized trucks and trained operators provide the skill and power needed to handle even the most challenging recoveries, ensuring vehicles are managed safely and roadways are cleared efficiently.
