Hit and Runs...

[Blueface]

Being in the fraud detection business involving staged accidents and damages and given my background in a body shop and as an adjuster and manager, I say very well done by all of you that have assessed this to be a backing up type impact as opposed to a sideswipe.
Clearly evident by the door not having a major impact to go along with what the fender sustained.
As far as your $500 assessment, consider the following:
Cost of Fender - probably in the $150 plus range
Cost of labor to remove old fender and install new one - probably around $45-50 per hour, minimum, more if at a dealer
Cost of materials to paint the new fender - very expensive nowadays
Cost of prepping, priming and painting the new fender
Cost of inner fender skirt - plastic and clearly damaged
Door OK or does that need to be addressed and blended for color matching?
Cost of clearing door to match once blended
Any damage to suspension? Any chance the wheel got whacked and now you will eat your tire?
Any damage to the rim? That alone can be from $250-$500 easily.

I would inspect his car closely. Impossible for him to not have sustained some resulting damage. Does he have a painted bumper or chrome?

[Col. Kurtz]

Originally Posted by Blueface

Being in the fraud detection business involving staged accidents and damages and given my background in a body shop and as an adjuster and manager, I say very well done by all of you that have assessed this to be a backing up type impact as opposed to a sideswipe.
Clearly evident by the door not having a major impact to go along with what the fender sustained.
As far as your $500 assessment, consider the following:
Cost of Fender - probably in the $150 plus range
Cost of labor to remove old fender and install new one - probably around $45-50 per hour, minimum, more if at a dealer
Cost of materials to paint the new fender - very expensive nowadays
Cost of prepping, priming and painting the new fender
Cost of inner fender skirt - plastic and clearly damaged
Door OK or does that need to be addressed and blended for color matching?
Cost of clearing door to match once blended
Any damage to suspension? Any chance the wheel got whacked and now you will eat your tire?
Any damage to the rim? That alone can be from $250-$500 easily.

I would inspect his car closely. Impossible for him to not have sustained some resulting damage. Does he have a painted bumper or chrome?

Carlos hit every angle. I've been in the loss business for a while also.

I'd probably, get a police report. It'll help prove your car was parked and not moving. Let the officer ask your neighbor what happened. He might be more likely to fess up.

I'd be willing to bet that's closer to $1200 in damages. Get the report, file it on his liability (if that's what happened) and get it fixed.

All just my opinion, but that does suck.

You'd be surprised how many H&R's I get vs. people taking responsibility. Or maybe not.

[s0leful0ne]

Originally Posted by Blueface

I would inspect his car closely. Impossible for him to not have sustained some resulting damage. Does he have a painted bumper or chrome?

Hmm...now i'm concerned. Considering I have a long drive up to Gainesville tomorrow, if there is more damage than just cosmetic it could be very dangerous on the freeway.

The bumper is painted on the suspected car, but there are already so many dings and dents in it it would be hard to conclude anything.

Would it be too late to call in the report if it happened yesterday?

[Col. Kurtz]

Originally Posted by s0leful0ne

Hmm...now i'm concerned. Considering I have a long drive up to Gainesville tomorrow, if there is more damage than just cosmetic it could be very dangerous on the freeway.

The bumper is painted on the suspected car, but there are already so many dings and dents in it it would be hard to conclude anything.

Would it be too late to call in the report if it happened yesterday?

No.

Edit to say. Listen to Carlos. I seem to remember Fla. being a PIP state once upon a time. Each state sets up its own rules on P&C. Statues were different enough I didn't get tied up in liability cases down there.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by s0leful0ne

Hmm...now i'm concerned. Considering I have a long drive up to Gainesville tomorrow, if there is more damage than just cosmetic it could be very dangerous on the freeway.

The bumper is painted on the suspected car, but there are already so many dings and dents in it it would be hard to conclude anything.

Would it be too late to call in the report if it happened yesterday?

Absolutely not too late at all to file a report.
If you advise the police you suspect him, they may very well ask to see his car.
If he caused that kind of damage to your car, I doubt it won't be visible on his. Furthermore, a little thing called "paint transfer". Your fender has paint missing from the impact. Bet dollars to donuts it will be on his car.