there is usually a safe distance for a stopped vehicles and a good chunk of the time most people don't give the driver ahead of them that safe stopped space. the people in those tiny cars seem to be the people that do it the most. there should almost be about 5 feet between them and your rear bumper.

found a quote that kind of sums up part of what i am thinking

 

I agree that you should leave a good cushion of room in front of you as good driving practice, but not doing so wouldn't make a collision that person's fault. I imagine both drivers learned a little something in that incident.

Here's what I think happened: the OP was inching forward with an obstructed view, decided to go, thought he wouldn't make it due to a speeding motorist heading his way, panicked, threw it in reverse and hit the guy behind him, who had started pulling up thinking that the OP was pulling away. Making it genuinely the OP's fault, though I suspect that the vehicle he thought was going to t-bone him was speeding (creating the whole problem).

 

It's your fault but that really doesnt matter you......if he calls you back you pay to fix it, if not you got lucky.

The exhaust could be fairly easy to fix depending on quality of exhaust, heat and some elbow grease and you should be able to get it done to almost perfect if not perfect

 

Thanks guys. And yeah, the guy said it won't be a whole lot to get the exhaust bent back.

And the guy never called back yet, so either he didn't get an estimate yet, or he found a friend or someone to fix it real cheap. I hope i got lucky.

And grox, that's pretty much the scenerio but i didn't panic, i just backed up.

 

Use a hammer.

 

"Urgently" is probably the right word, or else you wouldn't have hit the car.

 

And I don't see it being "kosher" or appropriate to drive away from a wreck you caused - private property or not. A new bumper cover and paint will run $700 or better - and that's if only the cover is damaged. Some shops will just heat and reform and then putty and paint. But if it was my car, it would get a new cover.

OP, if the other driver is willing to work it out, be grateful and do the deal. He is saving you money in the long run. As far as tailpipe, cut off and have new piece welded on. I had that done several weeks ago - a pilece about 28" long with one bend and angle cut at tip for $50.

 

Up here thats called a hit and run and it's a chargeable offense, any damage over $500 must be reported to the Law and the Insurance company.

 

Perhaps I used the word "kosher" the wrong way. I meant "kosher" in a sense that it would be appropriate for someone who is Jewish. I did say that is was almost certainly the OP's fault.

 

In Arizona damage of that nature on private property isn't a matter that the police will respond to. Filing an insurance claim is the prerogative of those involved, and a lawsuit could also be in order if the offended feels the offender failed to make him "whole" and was responsible.