Woman Gets Rear-Ended. Then She Asks the Offending Driver to Sign a Paper Admitting Fault

Motor 1

a day ago

In a crash, the clock is ticking, and the smart drivers on the road need to know how to handle that high-pressure situation. That's why, after getting rear-ended, a New Jersey attorney immediately went into an evidence-gathering mode many wouldn't even think about.
In a viral TikTok clip, personal injury lawyer Alyssa Inghilleri (@lysslikee) lays down some advice for anyone who's just been in an auto accident. The valuable tips can help distraught and overwhelmed motorists regain their focus and ensure their safety at a time when they're highly vulnerable.
'There are certain things that I would do after a car accident that I was not at fault for now that I wouldn't have done before I started practicing personal injury and seeing these car accident cases every single day,' she said in the clip.
Document the Scene as It Is
Inghilleri says her first move was to reach for her phone. Before the cars were moved an inch, she began recording video and taking photographs from multiple angles. She made sure to capture both vehicles in their exact positions, the damage to each, and a clear shot of the other driver's license plate. By documenting the physical evidence immediately, she locked in details that could become crucial later, especially if the other driver disputes the facts.
Once the scene itself was documented, Inghilleri scanned the area for witnesses. She mentioned passerby or other motorists, but witnesses could also be cyclists or workers at nearby businesses who might have been looking outside at the moment of impact.
She recommends approaching witnesses politely and asking for their name and contact information, including an address.
The advice to photograph the scene before vehicles are moved and gather witness contact information is echoed by numerous legal and professional sources. The
California Department of Insurance
and
multiple
personal injury law firms
stress
that early photos, multiple angles, and prompt witness details can be critical in resolving insurance disputes and supporting legal claims.
Video Evidence Is Gold
From there, her attention turned to cameras other than the one on her phone. She says you should have a dashcam to capture accident footage, but if you don't, nearby technology can still work in your favor.
Home security systems such as Ring doorbells sometimes face directly onto the street and can capture the lead-up to and aftermath of a collision. Many businesses have exterior cameras that may also have recorded useful footage. Some intersections are equipped with traffic cameras. While police are supposed to check for this kind of evidence when they investigate, Inghilleri cautions that they may be too busy or stretched thin to follow every lead. She says drivers should take the initiative to identify possible camera angles themselves and, if necessary, ask property owners for copies.
Inghilleri's point about dashcams and nearby video surveillance being often-overlooked yet powerful tools is
well-supported
by legal experts. Dashcam footage is increasingly relied upon in insurance claims and court cases because it provides unbiased, real-time evidence of collisions, clarifying fault and deterring fraudulent claims.
Moreover, personal injury attorneys frequently
emphasize
the value of securing video from doorbell cameras or nearby
surveillance systems
, noting that such footage offers objective and accurate reconstructions of accidents and can be critical when eyewitness accounts differ or are unavailable.
One of Inghilleri's strongest recommendations is to call the police, especially if it's a significant accident. However, in situations where both drivers agree not to call the police, which she stresses is not ideal, it's even more important to get something in writing. She advises asking the at-fault driver to sign a brief statement acknowledging what happened, such as: 'We agreed not to call the police, and I was at fault because I hit you from behind.' She says a signed note can prevent disputes later and help avoid criminal citations for failure to report or leaving the scene.
Multiple legal sources echo the importance of official reporting.
Failing to report
an accident when required can lead to fines, criminal penalties, or insurance complications. According to legal guidance, a written acknowledgment of fault can serve as
crucial documentation
if the other driver later disputes fault or changes their story, helping avoid disputes and potential charges for failure to report or leaving the scene.
Watch for Signs of Injury
Even though her crash was minor, Inghilleri still urged viewers to think about medical follow-up. She says adrenaline often masks pain in the immediate aftermath of an accident, meaning injuries can surface hours or even days later. If you start feeling any discomfort, such as neck stiffness, headaches, or back pain, she recommends seeing a doctor promptly and having those symptoms documented. She states that this is necessary because any injury claim you make may suffer if you do not have documentation of your injuries from their onset.
This advice aligns with guidance from attorneys and medical professionals. Seeking immediate medical attention creates a
crucial record
linking injuries to the accident and strengthens injury claims. Legal blogs note that delaying treatment enables insurers to argue that injuries are unrelated or minor.
More from Inghilleri
Via email, Inghilleri told
Motor1
, 'I would add that insurance companies have a duty to conduct a reasonable investigation into an accident involving an insured/covered person. Their investigation consists of all statements from their insured and any other eyewitnesses to the accident, pictures, videos, etc. However, if all they have is their insured's statement and that statement is at odds with the statement of the other driver, they will take their insured at their word and deny liability unless there is some other evidence to prove otherwise. That is why it is so important to collect your own evidence right away to prevent this situation.'
While Inghilleri's advice is focused on the moments after a crash, there's a proactive side to her message. Installing a dash cam before you ever need it is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself. Keeping a small 'accident kit' in your glove box with a notepad, pen, and a pre-printed fault acknowledgment form can also help you act quickly in an emergency.
And perhaps most importantly, familiarize yourself with your state's accident reporting requirements. Failing to understand them can turn a minor fender-bender into a legal headache.
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