Parking Lot Accident Both Cars Backing Out

[mild]

My question involves a traffic accident in the State of: California

I got into an accident today backing out of a space in a library parking lot. I heard a honk and stopped, turned to look and saw another car waiting in the lane, I thought they were honking to let me know they were there. Apparently, the honk was a warning to what actually happened. I continued backing out until the collision in the middle of the lane. Another car was backing out of the space directly behind me. I pulled forward and got out of my car. The damage on their car was slight denting on the rear of their right quarter panel. My damage was on my passenger side bumper, pushed in. When I got out of the car the other party told me that they had stopped moving when they saw me and started honking. I did not hear this honking, only the honk from the other car. They did not want to get insurance or police involved, and we only exchanged phone numbers and drivers license information. We stated that we would discuss our options further after I had a chance to talk with my parents.

My question for you is what is the best way to proceed? Is this a case of 50/50 or some proportion? I never admitted fault but the way the conversation progressed it sounded like it was expected that I was at fault. Thank you for you're input.

[FullAuto]

They did not want to get insurance or police involved, and we only exchanged phone numbers and drivers license information.

That was a mistake. ALWAYS exchange insurance. You know why they didn't want to get them involved? Because they don't have insurance and possibly have a suspended license, warrants or are an illegal. When the person can't provide insurance verification, call the police.

Don't pay them a penny. Tell them you want to go through the insurance companies. When they don't provide the info, tell them to get lost. If they provide you the info, file a claim. It will be ruled 50/50 through a fair company. It will be ruled the other person's fault through a shady company (from each of your points of view) that way they can tell each of you to have the other company pay or file against your collision coverage and pay the deductible.

If you have a plastic bumper cover like on most cars (not a steel bumper) and have access to the back side of it, get in there and beat out where it's pushed in. If you let it stay pushed in too long, it will deform it. It you put it in place soon enough, they can usually save the cover.