Bukowskikake

Not trying to be a dick, because obviously you didn't (and no one does) deserve what happened to you; it was really really fucked up.

With that being said, another consideration for the court (I'm assuming it was a bench trial rather than a jury trial, if it even went to trial; IE if she got diversion, that's essentially a plea, and it would not have gone to an actual trial) is that YOU started the altercation.

If this girl had hit you unprovoked she would have likely gotten MUCH MUCH MUCH more fucked. So... in essence, that sucks

It's unfortunate that you were injured. That should never have happened. It's not unfortunate that she only got assault charges.

Again, not that you deserved it, but it would have been a failure of the legal system to follow through with an aggravated assault charge.

You started the fight, and she bottled you; still assault, but you were undoubtedly a decisive factor in creating the situation.

She was 16; as much as people here want to say, "charge her as an adult and charge the most serious offense!" That's just not how our legal system works, and it shouldn't be.

Glad you're doing better! I would wager that with continuing therapy, in a couple years you will be able to consider this entirely behind you.

Can we just get back to Rampart, please, guys?

Lots of one word and one sentence answers.

I dunno.

I'm famous and socially awkward.

I shoot guns.

Useless metal-band-name acronyms.

/AMA

is to blame

I think you need a little refresher course in 'actual' vs. 'proximate' cause. Because /u/bettyepallmall, as the driver who lost control of the vehicle, is generally going to be responsible in tort for hurting her friend. It's a rare day a judge is going to say, 'yeah the driver was driving wildly but it's your fault for not wearing a seat belt'.

Not saying she shouldn't have been wearing a seatbelt.. but I'm not sure how you're concluding it was her fault.