Fort Lauderdale, FL asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Florida

Q: “What should we do after leaving the scene of an accident due to injury and avoiding hospital fees? Possible charges?”

My father was involved in a car accident last night and sustained a significant injury. He was bleeding heavily, so we decided to leave the scene to treat his injuries at home rather than go to the hospital, as we were concerned about medical fees. We did not report the accident to the authorities at that time. Now, there are police at the scene, and we are worried about possible legal consequences. We are aware that leaving the scene might be considered a crime, but we acted out of concern for his health. My father did drink a little bit last night, but he is sober now. If asked, how should we respond about the drinking, and what steps should we take now? Should we contact the police? What potential charges could we face for leaving the scene, and how can we best handle this situation without escalating legal issues? We want to cooperate with the authorities but are uncertain of how to proceed.

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