First, ensure the person receives any necessary medical attention. Then, document the scene thoroughly with photos or video, capturing the exact condition that caused the fall. Get contact information from the injured party and any witnesses. Write down your own detailed account of what happened while it’s fresh. Notify your homeowner’s or business liability insurance company promptly. Avoid making statements about fault or promising to pay for expenses.

A robust estimate must be itemized, listing every task and material cost separately. It should specify quantities, material grades, labor hours, and unit prices. Crucially, it must adhere to local building codes and include all necessary steps like debris removal, permits, and sales tax. Vague, lump-sum estimates are unacceptable as they can hide omissions and make it impossible to verify if the settlement offer covers each required repair component.

This situation is called being “upside-down” or having negative equity. The insurance settlement pays the vehicle’s actual cash value. If your loan balance is higher, you remain responsible for the difference to your lender. Your own gap insurance (if purchased) would cover this shortfall. Without gap coverage, you must pay the remaining debt out-of-pocket, even though you no longer have the car. This is a critical financial risk in total loss scenarios.