Auto Insurance Claims: Parking Lot Small Accident, rear view mirror, address phone number

Question
Hello, this is more to satisfy my curiosity, since I don't think that either parties will go through insurance.

I pulled into a gas station parking lot last night, and stopped before turning right into the station because the pumps and the lot were completely full. To my immediate right there was an open space but I was at such an angle that I could not turn in, so I checked my rear view mirror (I also have a back up camera) and reversed very slowly and a little bit to get the right angle to enter the space.

Then BOOM! I look behind me and there's a car pretty far away whose bumper has fallen off (a much older car, I guess what one would call a beater). The gas station manager comes out and tells that guy that it's his fault, at this point I'm confused and don't say anything. They start yelling at each other and the other party says that it's my fault since I was in reverse. In hindsight, I think he was trying to cut around me (in the opposite lane of traffic of the parking lot) instead of waiting for me to park. The manager got frustrated and said "call the police then!" and stormed off (he never talked to me).

I approached the other guy and told him that we should probably swap insurance information, but he hesitated and said it wasn't necessary, so I said OK. I then, perhaps stupidly?, offered to pay to re-attach his bumper. He said it shouldn't cost much. My bumper has scratches on it, but no dents.

In your opinion, was I too rash in offering to pay for damages? I assumed since I was going in reverse, even if he was driving recklessly in a parking lot, that I am the one at fault?

Thank you very much.

Answer
Hi Susan,
Engrave these words into your memory bank.  When involved in an accident, NEVER, EVER, ADMIT FAULT and NEVER, EVER OFFER TO PAY.  Got it.
Get all the information from the other driver including name, address, phone number, drivers license number, license plate number and all his insurance information including company name and policy and agent's name and phone number if he happens to have one of the agents business cards.
Also, get the names, addresses and phone numbers of all witnesses.  Then let the insurance companies duke it out.

Now, back to your present situation.  Go back to the gas station and get the managers name, address and phone number.
In cases such as this, it's not unusual for the other party to write down your license plate number and the approach your insurance company 6-10 months later with a large claim.
After you get the gas station managers information, I suggest that you make a report to your insurance company.
It will be held as a reference file and will not have any affect on your rate, but at least it's on record if he later tries to file a claim.  In most states, the statue of limitations for filing a property damage claim is 3 years.
I hope this answer is helpful.
Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area 10-18-07 8:30 AM PST