The ruling on taking what is left on cars that have been involved in accidents

Question : And among such matters is what is found now in cars that have been involved in accidents: is it permissible for a person to take from them whatever is usable of the equipment, since their owner has left them? Or is there a distinction to be made in this?

Answer : There is a distinction to be made in this. If we know that the accident that befell the car was minor and that its owner will return, then it is not permissible for anyone to take it or take anything from it. But if we know that it is a total loss and that its owner has left it and does not intend to return to it, then he may take from it whatever he sees to be usable.