Getting rear-ended is frustrating. Getting gaslit by the other driver, denied insurance info, and told you didn’t follow “protocol?” That’s infuriating.
That’s what happened to creator Lori (@allthelor), an eastern Pennsylvania driver who recently posted a pair of viral TikTok videos describing her experience after being rear-ended while stopped at a red light with her daughter in the car. The other driver, she says, refused to produce insurance information, stalled while “calling her husband,” and eventually drove off before police arrived. Lori was left to file a report on her own and deal with the damage.
“Some of us do life the right way,” she said in the second video. “If you’re going to drive a car, have insurance.”
She’s Not Alone in Her Experience
While Lori’s frustration is clear, the situation is far from uncommon. According to the Insurance Research Council, nearly 1 in 8 drivers in the U.S. is uninsured, with rates as high as 29.4% in some states like Mississippi. Even among insured drivers, being prepared to prove coverage or properly document a crash isn’t always guaranteed.
What Happened to Her After Being Rear-Ended?
In Lori’s case, initial damage to her Range Rover seemed minor, just a scratch at first glance. But closer inspection revealed a misaligned bumper and a molding panel hanging loose.
This kind of delayed damage visibility is typical of many modern vehicles. Today’s bumper designs are optimized to absorb low-speed impact and minimize cosmetic damage, which can make deeper issues harder to spot. Low-speed crashes often result in damage to underlying brackets, crash sensors, or frame components, even when exterior panels appear intact.
Lori says she asked the other driver multiple times for proof of insurance, only to be met with excuses about a new phone and difficulty accessing a digital card. While most states now legally accept digital proof of insurance, drivers are still expected to present it promptly if asked by law enforcement or another party involved in a collision. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) recommends keeping a screenshot of your insurance card saved to your phone’s photo gallery or wallet app, in case of poor signal or app login issues.
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As the exchange deteriorated and the other driver refused to provide any valid documentation, Lori began photographing the damage, the license plate, and recording the conversation. These were smart steps. In the event of an accident, especially when the other party seems evasive, drivers are encouraged to gather as much photographic and video evidence as possible. That includes wide shots of the intersection, close-ups of damage, license plates, and road conditions. Even a brief voice memo recounting what happened can help when filing an insurance claim later.
Eventually, Lori told the other driver she would call the police. That was when, according to her video, the other woman “flipped out” and drove off. Lori briefly returned home with her daughter before contacting law enforcement, at which point a dispatcher told her she hadn’t followed proper procedure. While she ultimately filed a report at the state police barracks and showed the officers the damage, she said the process felt like a waste of time and that she would have been better off calling police on the spot and waiting at the scene.
In many states, including Pennsylvania, drivers are required to report a crash to police if there is injury, death, or if a vehicle cannot be driven safely afterward. Even if those conditions don’t apply, reporting the incident can help establish a clear record, especially if the other driver leaves without exchanging insurance information.
This also raises the legal question of when an accident becomes a hit-and-run. In general, the moment a driver flees the scene without providing required details, the incident can be classified as such. Many drivers mistakenly believe that a brief conversation absolves them of further responsibility, but that’s not the case. If insurance information isn’t exchanged and the driver leaves before police arrive or a report is filed, it could lead to charges depending on the jurisdiction.
What Should I Do If I’m in A Situation Like Hers?
Drivers facing situations like Lori’s may end up relying on their own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. While this type of coverage is optional in many states, it’s a crucial safeguard when the other driver can’t—or won’t—pay. UM coverage typically reimburses for vehicle damage, medical expenses, and lost wages resulting from an accident caused by a driver without valid insurance.
In hindsight, Lori says she regrets not calling the police immediately, but points out that the other driver left regardless. “I’ll take full responsibility that I didn’t call the police initially,” she said. “But I don’t know what that would’ve done—because she left anyway.”
Motor1 reached out to Lori via email. We’ll update this article if they respond.
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