No, you are NOT partly to blame. They should take responsibility if they are able, or at least try. However, I remember a minor fender bender in which I was rear ended. The young man that stepped out of the car and apologized barely spoke English and had three different insurance cards that were all out of date. I looked at the car and his young wife and children and told him not to worry about it. Still, it is up to the offended party. Howard should know better and has no self control.Gard could have let Howard say what he said and not reponded, sure.
Lets say someone rear ends your car. Nothing major, just a small dent on the bumper. You get out of your car and ask for their insurance info. They refuse. You insist. They punch you in the nose. Are you partly to blame? I mean, you could have just let the guy go, right?