Car Accident & Repair Guides | Otto
Otto Guides

Car Accident &
Repair Guides

Upload a photo for a free repair estimate in about 30 seconds. Every guide we've written, grouped by situation, is below.

Free · No account needed · Independent of any insurer

Not sure where to start? If you were just in a crash, start with what to do after a car accident. Otherwise, pick the situation that fits: the type of accident, the insurance question in front of you, or the damage on the car.

Otto Research Team
·
October 2026
·
Updated Quarterly
·
Updated as New Guides Publish
The short answer
01
After a
Car Accident
The first hours, the first week, and the deadlines that follow.
Start here
What to do after a car accident
The checklist at the scene, the next 72 hours, and what changes by situation.
Someone hit you
Someone hit my car
Their insurer, your claim and your repair, step by step.
Not your fault
Accidents that weren't your fault
Whose insurance pays and what their adjuster is doing.
Anyone hurt
Car accident injuries
Common injuries, delayed symptoms, and getting checked.
Paperwork
Police reports
When you need one, how to get it, and fixing errors.
Deadlines
How long you have to file
Lawsuit deadlines and the shorter clocks that run first.
Legal help
Do I need a lawyer?
The signals that make a free consultation worth it.
An offer arrived
Car accident settlements
What you give up when you sign, and what it can cover.
You need a car
Rental car after an accident
Who pays for the rental, and for how long.
02
Types of
Accidents
Fault, damage and next steps depend on how the crash happened.
Hit from behind
Rear-ended
Who's at fault and the damage behind the bumper.
Side impact
T-bone accident
Right of way, side damage and injuries.
Front impact
Head-on collision
Fault, front-end damage and total loss.
Private property
Parking lot accident
Who had the right of way and how the claim works.
No other car
Single-car accident
Pole, curb or deer: which coverage pays.
Small damage
Minor accident (fender bender)
Whether a claim is worth filing.
They drove off
Hit and run
Which of your coverages pays, and what it costs you.
You weren't there
Someone hit my parked car
Evidence steps when you came back to damage.
No insurance
No insurance after an accident
Your options when one side has no coverage.
03
Insurance
and Claims
Getting the claim paid, and paid properly.
Low offer
Insurance estimate too low
Supplements, your rights and how to push back.
Claim or pay
Insurance claim vs. paying yourself
Compare your deductible and rate increase.
Your deductible
Deductible assistance
What's legal, and where shops may help.
After the repair
Diminished value claims
The resale value your car lost, and claiming it.
Badly damaged
Is my car totaled?
How insurers decide and how to check their number.
04
Damage
and Repair Costs
What the damage means, and what repairs usually cost.
Serious damage
What is structural damage?
Cosmetic vs. structural, and the warning signs.
Most common repair
Bumper repair cost
Price ranges by damage type, and repair vs. replace.
All repairs
Collision repair costs
What drives the bill, panel by panel.
Local data
SoCal auto body repair costs
What real Southern California estimates show.
05
Free
Estimate Tools
Upload a photo and get a repair cost range in about 30 seconds.
Calculator
Vehicle damage calculator
A free repair estimate from one photo.
How it works
AI car repair estimate
How Otto prices damage from a photo.
No shop visit
Car repair estimate online
An estimate before you drive anywhere.
06
Common
Questions
Where should I start after a car accident?
Start with the checklist in our guide to what to do after a car accident. It covers the first steps at the scene, the next 72 hours, and links to the guide that fits your situation.
Are these guides legal or medical advice?
No. They're general information from an auto body repair company. Laws, coverage and deadlines vary by state; consult a licensed attorney or medical provider about your own situation.
How do I get a repair estimate?
Upload a photo of the damage at the top of this page or on any guide. Otto returns a free repair cost range in about 30 seconds, with no account needed.