What should you do first if you had a car accident that Was Your Fault?
What If I Had A Car Accident That Was My Fault?
You breathe and you think. You feel afraid. You see damage and broken glass. You need simple steps. You need clear help. This article gives clear steps for you. You will read simple words. You will get plain advice for Florida. You will learn how a public adjuster can help if your house or other property gets hit. You will learn how Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals can help you.
Short note about rules and Florida
You live in Florida or you drive in Florida. Florida often uses Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP can pay some medical bills. Florida also usually requires property damage coverage. You must check your car insurance policy. You must check state rules if you want exact limits. You can call Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals for help understanding policy wording.
What to do first at the crash scene
You stop your car. You turn on your hazard lights. You check yourself and others for injuries. You call 911 if someone is hurt.
You move your car if it is safe to move. You stay safe on the shoulder. You put out a warning triangle or flares if you have them. You keep the scene as calm as you can.
You call the police. You share facts. You tell the officer where you are and what happened. You give your license and registration when asked. You do not blame yourself out loud at the scene. You speak calmly and only say true facts.
You take photos. You photograph your car, the other car, any damage to homes or mailboxes, and the road. You take pictures of the sky and signs too. Pictures help later.
You exchange information. You get names, phone numbers, insurance company names, and policy numbers from the other drivers. You show your insurance card and give the same list. You note license plate numbers and vehicle models.
You get witness names. You ask witnesses to say what they saw. You write down what they say. You ask for phone numbers.
You file a police report. You keep a copy of that report. In Florida, you must report crashes that cause injury, death, or property damage over a set amount. You should file a report within 10 days if the law requires it. You must follow local rules.
Why you should not admit too much at the scene
You may feel guilty. You may want to say you are sorry. Saying “I am sorry” can sound like admitting the crash was all your fault. You can say, “I am sorry you are hurt” instead. You can save a fuller explanation for your insurer or a lawyer. You must tell the truth, but you should avoid full fault statements until you have facts.
How to tell your insurance company
You call your insurer soon. You tell them the facts. You give them names and photos and the police report number. You answer questions simply. You do not guess.
You ask what coverages apply. You ask if your policy pays for repairs to your car. You ask if your policy covers damage to other people’s property. You ask about your deductible. You ask if your premium may change.
You follow your insurer’s requests. You send photos. You sign forms if needed. You meet with adjusters. You tell the insurer about injuries and medical care if you had any.
Collision coverage and deductibles
You may have collision coverage. Collision coverage pays to fix your car after a crash. You pay the deductible when you use collision. If the repair cost is less than or equal to your deductible, you pay for repairs yourself.
You may not have collision coverage. If you do not have collision, you must pay for repairs yourself if you caused the crash.
If the other driver has insurance and they are at fault, their insurer may pay your repairs. But you caused the crash, so their insurer may not pay.
Liability and how fault changes things
You caused the crash. Your insurer may have to pay for the other person’s damage. This payment comes from your liability coverage. You may have limits on how much your insurer will pay.
If the other driver sues you, your insurer may defend you. Your insurer may hire a lawyer for you. The insurer may also pay costs up to your policy limit.
Your premium can go up after at-fault crashes. Your insurer may raise your rates at renewal. You may change companies if you do not like the new price.
What if your car is a total loss?
Your insurer will inspect your car. The insurer will decide if the cost to fix the car is more than the car’s value. If the insurer totals your car, they pay you the actual cash value minus your deductible.
You keep receipts for upgrades. You show the insurer if you added better tires or a new stereo. You may get partial credit for upgrades if you prove the added value.
What if the crash hit your house or property?
Your car may hit a fence, a mailbox, a garage, or your house. You must tell your homeowners insurer if your house gets damage. You may be the one to file the claim. You may also need to tell your auto insurer.
You may find the homeowners policy confusing. Public adjusters help with home damage claims. Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals can inspect your house. Otero works with homeowners across Florida. Otero can estimate damage and write a claim. Otero can help you get full payment for structural damage, roof damage, fence repair, and more.
How a public adjuster helps you after a car hits your house
You call a public adjuster. The adjuster comes to inspect the damage. The adjuster writes an estimate. The adjuster meets with your insurer. The adjuster negotiates on your behalf.
You save time and stress. You get help with paperwork and proof. A public adjuster works for you. They do not work for the insurance company. Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals works only for you. Otero will not get paid unless you get paid.
Otero offers a free initial inspection. Otero has experience handling roof leaks, siding damage, garage damage, and fence and yard damage caused by cars. Otero helps homeowners across Florida. Call Otero at (850) 285-0405 or visit https://oteroadjusting.com/.
How to protect your rights if you were at fault
You must keep records. You write down dates, times, and phone calls. You save repair estimates and medical bills. You keep photos and text messages.
You should not agree to pay large sums without advice. You can let your insurer handle offers from the other driver. You can ask for a written settlement offer. You can ask your insurer to defend you before you pay anything.
If the other driver sues, you must act fast. You must respond to court papers. You may need a lawyer. Your insurer may provide a lawyer under your policy.
Records you must keep
- Police report copy
- Photos of damage
- Contact names and numbers
- Repair shop estimates
- Tow and storage bills
- Medical bills and receipts
- All communications with your insurer
- All communications with the other driver
Timeline table for a typical at-fault accident claim
| Step | Action | Typical time frame |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Call 911 and get medical help | Immediately |
| 2 | Take photos and get witness info | At scene |
| 3 | File police report if required | Same day or within 10 days in Florida if rules require |
| 4 | Tell your insurer | Within 24–72 hours |
| 5 | Tow and repair estimates | 1–7 days |
| 6 | Insurer inspection and decision | 7–30 days, may be longer |
| 7 | Repair or total loss payment | 7–60 days, depends on dispute and parts |
| 8 | Home damage claim with public adjuster | 1–90 days, depending on complexity |
If the other driver blames you but you think you were not at fault
You tell your insurer your view. You show photos and witness names. You let the insurer handle blame. The insurer will investigate. The insurer uses police reports and statements and damage patterns to decide fault.
You may need to hire a lawyer if fault is unclear and the other driver accuses you unfairly. You may also hire an independent appraiser for damage.
If you damage someone else’s house or property
You call your auto insurer soon. You tell them the facts. Your liability coverage for property damage may pay for the house repairs.
If your car hit your own house, you must tell your homeowners insurer. You can file a claim on your homeowners policy in some cases. A public adjuster can help with that claim. Otero can inspect and present the claim to your homeowners insurer.
How public adjusters differ from company adjusters
Company adjusters work for insurance companies. They try to protect the insurer’s money. Public adjusters work for policyholders. They try to get you fair payment from your insurer. You can hire a public adjuster to represent you in a homeowners claim after a car hits your house. Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals acts as a public adjuster. Otero works for you and helps you get what your policy covers.
How Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals can help you in Florida
Otero helps homeowners after property damage in Florida. Otero can help when a car hits your roof, garage, fence, or yard. Otero inspects damage and documents loss. Otero submits a claim and argues for fair payment. Otero is paid only when you recover money. Otero offers a free initial inspection.
You can call Otero at (850) 285-0405. You can visit Otero at 3105 W Michigan Ave, Pensacola, FL 32526. You can visit https://oteroadjusting.com/. Otero serves Florida homeowners of all sizes of loss.
How to deal with repair shops and estimates
You get several repair estimates. You compare prices and parts. You pick a shop you trust. You ask for parts lists and labor times. You save all invoices.
If your house needs repair, you use a licensed contractor. You get a written estimate and a written contract. You ask the contractor to document work with photos and receipts. You share these with your insurer and the public adjuster.
Rental car and extra living expenses
If your car is not drivable, you may need a rental car. Your policy may pay for a rental under certain terms. You call your insurer and ask about rental coverage.
If a car hit your home and the house is unsafe, you may need to live elsewhere. Homeowners insurance may pay for extra living expenses. A public adjuster helps document and prove your housing costs.
When you should hire a public adjuster
You hire a public adjuster if your house gets damage after a car accident. You hire a public adjuster if the insurer denies parts of the claim. You hire a public adjuster if the insurer pays too little. You hire a public adjuster if you want a trained negotiator who works for you.
Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals offers help to Florida homeowners. Otero can inspect damage free. Otero will explain policy language in plain words. Otero will write the claim and press for fair payment.
Cost and fee structure for public adjusters
Public adjusters charge a fee for their work. The fee often comes from the claim recovery. Otero takes a fee only when you get paid. Otero will tell you fee terms in writing before work begins. You do not pay for the initial inspection.
Common problems that slow claims
- Missing documents and photos
- Delayed police report
- Disagreement on repair costs
- Disagreement on who is at fault
- Waiting for parts or contractor schedules
- Disputes over depreciation or actual cash value
You can avoid many issues by keeping records and acting quickly. A public adjuster like Otero can help remove roadblocks.
How the insurer values property damage
Insurers may value damage using actual cash value. Actual cash value equals replacement cost minus depreciation. For cars, insurers use market value. For homes, insurers use repair cost, replacement cost, or market value based on policy terms.
You keep receipts for upgrades to show added value. You document recent repairs and improvements. A public adjuster can argue for higher replacement cost if you have proof.
How to talk to the other party after the crash
You stay polite. You give facts. You avoid long arguments. You record your calls only if local law allows it. You write down what you say and what the other person says.
You avoid making deals without guidance. You avoid paying large sums in cash without a signed release. You let insurers and lawyers handle major offers.
How to handle small claims or direct payments
If the damage is small, you can fix it yourself. You can accept a small payment from the other driver’s insurer. You get the agreement in writing. You make sure the payment clears before you sign any release.
If the payment is large or the fault is unclear, you consult your insurer or a lawyer first.
If you worry about big legal bills
You tell your insurer. Your policy may provide legal defense for liability claims. Your insurer may assign a lawyer to defend you. You follow your insurer’s instructions. You ask your insurer for a named counsel or public adjuster help for property claims.
If you face serious lawsuits, you hire a private lawyer. You may also hire a public adjuster for property damage claims.
Tips to lower future insurance costs
You shop for quotes. You keep a clean driving record. You take a driver safety course if eligible. You ask insurers about discounts for good driving or for safety devices.
You compare full policy terms, not just price. You check for PIP and property damage minimums and optional coverages.
Simple checklist: steps after an at-fault crash
| Action | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Call 911 if injured | Protects life and creates record |
| Take photos | Shows damage and scene details |
| Exchange info | Essential for claims |
| File police report | Needed for records and disputes |
| Call your insurer | Starts the claims process |
| Keep all receipts | Proves costs |
| Contact a public adjuster for home damage | Helps with homeowners claim |
| Get repair estimates | Shows cost to fix |
| Keep a log of calls and letters | Shows timeline and facts |
Examples of real situations and what you can do
You hit a mailbox. You file a report and pay for the mailbox. You give your insurance info. If the mailbox is part of a homeowner’s claim, the homeowner may file a claim with their insurer. You may pay the homeowner directly for repairs.
You back into a garage and dent a siding and break a window. You tell your auto insurer and your homeowners insurer if the garage belongs to you. If the garage is part of your house, a public adjuster like Otero can help you prove damage and get money for repairs.
You drive into your own garage door. Your auto insurer may pay damage to your car. Your homeowners policy may cover the garage door if your policy covers such events. Otero can inspect and help.
You crash into a neighbor’s fence and that crash hits a hidden sprinkler and floods your neighbor’s yard. The neighbor will need repair. Your auto insurer may pay. You keep records and let your insurer handle the claim.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will my insurance pay for the other person’s car if I caused the crash?
Yes, liability coverage may pay for the other person’s damage up to your policy limit. You must report the crash to your insurer.
Will my rates go up after an at-fault crash?
Often yes. Rates can increase after an at-fault crash. You can shop for new quotes.
Can I handle a small crash without using insurance?
Yes, but you should be careful. Get everything in writing. A small out-of-pocket fix may not protect you if later problems arise.
What if a car hits my house?
Call your homeowners insurer. Call a public adjuster if you want help. Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals can inspect and file a homeowners claim. Otero helps Florida homeowners get fair payment.
Do public adjusters handle car damage?
Public adjusters focus on property claims for homes and businesses. For car damage, you work with auto insurers and auto appraisers. If the car crash damaged your house, call a public adjuster.
How to talk to Otero and what to expect
You call Otero at (850) 285-0405. You say your name and describe the damage. You set a time for a free inspection. The adjuster visits your home, takes photos and notes, and gives a written estimate. Otero files the claim documentation and negotiates with your homeowners insurer. Otero only receives a fee if you receive payment.
You find Otero at 3105 W Michigan Ave, Pensacola, FL 32526. You visit https://oteroadjusting.com/ for details and forms.
Final practical tips
Keep calm. Take photos. Call the police when needed. Tell your insurer. Keep records. Ask for help with home damage from a public adjuster. Otero helps Florida homeowners at no cost for the first inspection.
You can learn from the crash. You can slow down. You can check your insurance coverages. You can learn the difference between auto liability and homeowner claims. You can call Otero to help with damage to your home.
You do not have to handle everything alone. You can get professional help. You can get fair treatment from insurers when you show clear proof. Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals stands ready to help homeowners in Florida. Call (850) 285-0405 or visit https://oteroadjusting.com/ for a free inspection and honest help.
