What happens when I try to stick up for myself...

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by blkbmw
This would be my advice for if you would encounter this type of incident again. Since you observed multiple guys around your car, (and it sounds like you were at a bar) DON'T confront them. Chances are they are drunk and are willing to flex their "beer muscles" by picking a fight (which as we know is what happened).
Jason

While reading kpagel's post these were similar to my thoughts.

Anybody who is going to lean up against someone else's vehicle, especially when they don't know them, obviously has no regard or repect for others. Seeing that would be Red Flag #1. Then of course you have the location to consider, lighting and such. Then there is the friend factor. In other words if you focus your attention on one of them in front of his freinds his is likely to get defensive and show those beer muscles Jason refered to.

Too many Red Flags here to try to assume these guys would listen to common sense.

Had I been you. I would have walked up with a polite smile on my face as I was putting my keys in the door and said "Have a good night folks". This would have put you in your vehicle ASAP and in control of your keys. They would have taken the hint that you were starting up to leave and would have likely moved. They would not have perceived this as "this man has a problem with me", and would have perceived ths as "this man is leaving".

By going this route there would have been no reason for them to feel offended. If they were truely jerks and looking to start trouble, this would have put you in a locked vehicle ASAP.

Of course hindsight is 20/20 and all that. But I am pretty non confrontational as well, and tend to avoid putting myself into these situations in the first place. But it could always happen.

Good luck with the recovery effort.

[imacarnut]

kyle,
i hope you get better, take care brotha!

[kpagel]

Originally posted by Jeff Smith
While reading kpagel's post these were similar to my thoughts.

Anybody who is going to lean up against someone else's vehicle, especially when they don't know them, obviously has no regard or repect for others. Seeing that would be Red Flag #1. Then of course you have the location to consider, lighting and such. Then there is the friend factor. In other words if you focus your attention on one of them in front of his freinds his is likely to get defensive and show those beer muscles Jason refered to.

Too many Red Flags here to try to assume these guys would listen to common sense.

Had I been you. I would have walked up with a polite smile on my face as I was putting my keys in the door and said "Have a good night folks". This would have put you in your vehicle ASAP and in control of your keys. They would have taken the hint that you were starting up to leave and would have likely moved. They would not have perceived this as "this man has a problem with me", and would have perceived ths as "this man is leaving".

By going this route there would have been no reason for them to feel offended. If they were truely jerks and looking to start trouble, this would have put you in a locked vehicle ASAP.

Of course hindsight is 20/20 and all that. But I am pretty non confrontational as well, and tend to avoid putting myself into these situations in the first place. But it could always happen.

Good luck with the recovery effort.

Yeah, I know there were a million red flags with this incident. Thing is, I'm a regular at this place and normally, everyone here in Riverside are great people to be around (especially in the local music 'scene'). I've been to many of these local shows and its usually all the same people and everyone is in a really close-knit community and everyone gets along great. I just wasn't expecting any sort of violence. I know its naive on my part, and I made a mistake. This is normally a better area that there aren't many problems with, so I guess I just overestimated the rationality of these people.

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by kpagel
Yeah, I know there were a million red flags with this incident. Thing is, I'm a regular at this place and normally, everyone here in Riverside are great people to be around (especially in the local music 'scene'). I've been to many of these local shows and its usually all the same people and everyone is in a really close-knit community and everyone gets along great. I just wasn't expecting any sort of violence. I know its naive on my part, and I made a mistake. This is normally a better area that there aren't many problems with, so I guess I just overestimated the rationality of these people.

Well, as you have just observed. There are hard heads everywhere. This area can be very nice. most of the folks here are family oriented Department of Defense Contractors. Seems like everyone around here has DOD Decals on there vehicles.

But even here, hard heads are around. And just because you frequent a place does not mean your guard should be let down. Always be observant when it comes to strangers. You just never know. Watch for those red flags.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by blkbmw
police officers who wear bullet resistant vests

Wow; I can honestly say that's the first time I have heard "bullet resistant vests" used in a sentence. I always hear it as "bulletproof vests" -- which I'm sure is nearly impossible when it comes to armor piercing rounds and etc.

[LiquidBlack]

For me, I'd be using the car as my fists, then polishing the mess away in the morning

Just kidding folks. I dont think I would have known what to do in such a situation.

[Hannibal]

Karma has a way with dealing those who "apparently" escape justice. I believe that whole-heartedly.

PS Stay away from bars. There are a lot of "instant @$$-holes" by adding alcohol. You dont want to get mixed up in that scene. You may find yourself stuck there for many many years.

[Rob66]

Jeez No good ever comes to people like that Lets hope the cops catch them before some other poor guy or worse girl ends up on the wrong side of 'em.

Look after yourself buddy.

Rob

[Setec Astronomy]

Originally posted by kpagel

I'm going to speak with my neighbor who's an officer to see if its too late to file a report. I'm thinking my story might lose credibility since its two days later. Also, someone said that these guys were saying that I started it, so it could be my word against theirs (of course I sustained injuries, they did not).

It's not too late, do it now. I wouldn't worry about your credibility; let a grand jury decide who is credible, you have nothing to lose by filing a report. Even if you were a little less polite than you indicated in asking these gentlemen to get off your truck, there is no excuse in civilized society for them to respond to that by breaking your jaw.

[kpagel]

Update

I had to go to the doctor today for pre-surgery checkup (they gave me the information about the surgery, etc). I was told Friday that my surgery would be in 7-10 days, so I was a bit surprised when i was informed this afternoon that I would go in tomorrow. Its no big deal, though. Just sooner than expected. They will install a titanium plate under my gum (which will be there the rest of my life). They will also install 'arch bars' which go around my whole teeth on both jaws which will look and feel like braces I'm told. Then my jaw will be closed shut with rubber bands (I got lucky and I won't be wired shut). This will be in for a total of six weeks, during which the entire time I will have to be on a 100% liquid diet.

Thanks to everyone who showed their support and gave me advice, I really appreciate it.