One Fatality In Canton, Massachusetts – Multi-Car Accident on I-93 Possibly Caused by Wrong Way Driver

Five vehicles were involved in a tragic crash on Interstate 93 South early Monday morning, December 9. Massachusetts State Police (MSP) responded to reports of a multi-car accident. “The crash happened at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Interstate 93 South at the 2A exit in Canton,” said MSP Sergeant Gregory Jones. Fire departments from Canton and Milton, along with EMS, also responded, finding seven victims with serious injuries. Six individuals were transported to local hospitals, while 55-year-old Peter Webb of Weymouth was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities have not determined the cause of the crash. The Massachusetts Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Section and Crime Scene Services Section, along with MassDOT and the State Police Detective Unit, continue to investigate. While details remain unclear, including whether Mr. Webb was a driver or passenger, unconfirmed reports suggest a wrong-way driver may have been involved. All lanes of I-93 South at Exit 2A were closed for several hours. The only available photo from the scene shows a severely damaged full size SUV with deployed airbags and visible signs of a rollover and rear-side impact. Details about the vehicles involved or their drivers remain unavailable.

The 2A South Stoughton exit connects I-93 South to State Route 138, a high-traffic regional arterial. Weather conditions at the time included intermittent rain, fog, and temperatures of 39°F, which likely caused slippery roads and poor visibility. The cloverleaf interchange, designed in the 1970s, includes sharp off-ramps with limited lighting and no guardrails. Drivers exiting I-93 must decelerate quickly from 65 mph to 30 mph, a factor that could have contributed to the crash. Modern interchange design is much safer. A longer freeway off-ramp with a gradual turn is safer, allowing drivers to slow down steadily, unlike short off-ramps that demand abrupt speed reduction and sharp turns.

Accidents like these often highlight the risks associated with aging road designs and inadequate infrastructure, especially during adverse weather conditions. Modernizing roadways and improving lighting could significantly reduce the likelihood of similar crashes in the future. Overall, freeways are characterized by the highest safety level (lowest fatality rates) when compared with other types of highways in both rural and urban areas (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 1995). However, erratic maneuvers by drivers are common at exit ramps and increase the likelihood of crashes by four-fold (Lunenfeld, 1993). Besides the possibility of a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs, late night crashes can involve driver fatigue. Driver age can also be involved. Multiple studies have shown older drivers, over age 76, to have diminished capabilities: loss of vision, and information-processing ability, decreased physical flexibility for observing surroundings, increased sensitivity to glare and poor night vision. At the same time, the AAA study above notes the highest crash rates for drivers aged 16-17 years old.

Data like this illustrates the importance of collection of evidence at the crash scene, including the sequence of events, driver data, eyewitness accounts of what happened and careful analysis of all the factors to identify liability. Victims of severe accidents are never in a good position to collect evidence—they are often in shock or incapacitated. If you have learned that your family member has suffered a severe car crash, this is the time to seek the help of a personal injury attorney, Harrington & Harrington in Boston.

Canton Car Accident Lawyers

This severe multi-vehicle accident highlights the potential dangers of outdated highway infrastructure combined with driver impairment and adverse weather conditions. While investigators work to determine the sequence of events, the presence of Massachusetts Collision Analysis personnel suggests that gross vehicular negligence could be a factor. However, poor visibility, slick roads, and the antiquated interchange design likely played a significant role.

Harrington & Harrington specializes in personal injury law; we understand the complexities of multi-vehicle accident cases. Our team of experienced attorneys specializes in identifying all liable parties, whether it’s an impaired driver, poorly maintained infrastructure, or inadequate road signage, or some combination of factors. Multi-vehicle accidents often involve intricate legal challenges, such as determining proportional liability and negotiating with multiple insurance companies. Our firm is equipped to handle these challenges, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.

Families grieving the loss of a loved one or individuals recovering from severe injuries need an advocate to stand up against insurance companies and negligent parties. It’s usually the last thing on their minds, but for protecting the rights of the injured or a family left behind, it’s critical, and the sooner the better. At Harrington & Harrington, our attorneys are committed to holding those at fault accountable while helping clients navigate the emotional and financial burdens that follow a serious accident. With a track record of successful settlements and verdicts, we fight tirelessly for justice on behalf of our clients.

Common Injuries in Auto Accidents

One minute you’re on a typical late-night drive on a familiar highway, the next moment you’re crashing into other vehicles seemingly out of nowhere. Multi-vehicle car accidents like the one in Canton often result in serious injuries, including:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Head injuries are common in high-impact crashes due to the sudden force of impact or collision with hard surfaces like the dashboard, steering wheel, or windshield. TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, leading to long-term cognitive and physical impairments. Symptoms may include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, headaches, mood changes, and impaired motor functions, often requiring ongoing medical treatment, therapy, and rehabilitation.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord is a devastating consequence of severe truck accidents, often caused by extreme force or sudden compression. These injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia, which may permanently alter a person’s mobility and independence. Victims often require lifelong medical care, adaptive equipment, and extensive physical therapy to manage their condition and improve their quality of life.
Fractures and Broken Bones: The immense force generated in a truck collision can result in broken bones throughout the body, including the arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, and facial bones. Complex fractures may require surgery, the placement of plates or screws, and long periods of immobilization. Recovery can be painful and lengthy, often limiting a victim’s ability to work or carry out daily activities for weeks or months.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Whiplash occurs when the head is forcefully jerked back and forth during a collision, straining the neck muscles, ligaments, and tendons. While these injuries are often associated with less severe accidents, they can cause significant pain, stiffness, headaches, and reduced range of motion. Treatment may involve physical therapy, chiropractic care, and pain management, with recovery sometimes lasting several months.
Internal Injuries: The blunt force trauma sustained in truck accidents can cause severe internal injuries, such as damage to the liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, or intestines. Internal bleeding and organ damage are life-threatening and often require emergency medical intervention, including surgery. If left untreated, internal injuries can lead to complications, infections, or long-term health problems that severely impact a victim’s overall well-being.
Burns and Lacerations: Accidents involving fire, explosions, or shattered glass can cause victims to suffer severe burns or deep lacerations. Burns can range in severity from first-degree to life-threatening third-degree burns that require skin grafts and long-term care. Lacerations from sharp debris or broken glass can cause significant blood loss, scarring, and nerve damage. Both burns and lacerations may result in permanent disfigurement and emotional trauma, necessitating surgical intervention or cosmetic treatments.

Each injury carries its own set of challenges, often requiring extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and long-term support. For example, TBIs may necessitate years of therapy, while spinal cord injuries can lead to permanent disability. Emotional trauma, such as anxiety and PTSD, is also common and can significantly impact a victim’s quality of life.

Understanding the full scope of injuries is essential when pursuing compensation. An experienced attorney can help calculate damages not only for immediate medical expenses but also for future care, loss of income, and emotional suffering. This comprehensive approach ensures victims and their families have the financial resources needed to rebuild their lives.

Why You May Need A Car Accident Attorney in Boston, MA

Navigating the aftermath of a serious car accident can be overwhelming. While you may expect the insurance representatives of other drivers to step up with integrity, often even the details of the incident are uncertain. The authorities on-scene usually conduct a thorough investigation, but with multiple vehicles and serious injuries, it’s often difficult to reconstruct the exact sequence of events, facts of the crash, and establish liability, especially when all the vehicle occupants have serious injuries and there are no other witnesses to the incident. Besides wanting ironclad proof of their client’s culpability, insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts, leaving victims with insufficient funds to cover their losses. As the saying goes, “you’re entitled to your own opinion but you’re not entitled to your own facts.” A skilled car accident attorney can independently establish the actual facts of the crash and:

Investigate the crash and determine liability
Handle communications with insurance companies
Gather evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and medical records
Calculate the full extent of damages, including future medical costs
Negotiate a fair settlement or take the case to court if necessary

Having legal representation ensures your rights are safeguarded against parties attempting to avoid liability, while also helping you secure the compensation you deserve. Since insurance companies prioritize profits, they often propose lowball settlements. An attorney can challenge these strategies and fight for a fair outcome on your behalf.

Additionally, legal experts can manage the complexities of filing claims, especially in multi-vehicle accidents where multiple parties may share fault. Their experience allows victims to focus on recovery while their case is handled professionally and thoroughly.

Focus On Grieving and Recovering While a Skilled Boston Car Accident Attorney Fights for You

Losing a loved one or recovering from severe injuries is a life-altering experience. It’s a time when emotional healing and physical recovery should take priority. The legal and financial challenges that follow an accident can feel insurmountable, but you don’t have to face them alone.

At Harrington & Harrington, we take on the burden of dealing with insurance companies and legal claims, giving you the space to focus on what matters most. Our compassionate attorneys provide personalized support tailored to your unique needs. Whether it’s negotiating settlements or taking a case to trial, we are committed to achieving justice for our clients.

Our firm’s approach combines empathy with aggressive advocacy. We understand the emotional toll accidents take on individuals and families, and we work diligently to secure the compensation needed to rebuild lives. Let us handle the complexities of your case while you focus on healing and recovery.

Free Consultations for Car Accident Victims

Every accident victim deserves access to justice. That’s why Harrington & Harrington offers free, no-obligation consultations to accident victims and their families. During this meeting, we’ll review the details of your case, answer your questions, and provide a clear understanding of your legal options.

Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about your next steps. Whether you’re facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, or emotional trauma, we’re here to help you navigate the legal process. And with our contingency fee arrangement, you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Bilingual Boston Personal Injury Law Firm

We recognize that Massachusetts is a diverse state with many Spanish-speaking residents. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car crash but don’t speak English fluently, it can make it hard to navigate the legal system. At Harrington & Harrington, we offer bilingual services to ensure that Spanish-speaking clients have access to the legal help they need. Hablamos español—our team will ensure that you understand every part of your case, and we will handle all communications with insurance companies and opposing lawyers. You won’t have to worry about language barriers slowing down your case.

Contact Our Boston Car Accident Attorneys Today

Time is critical after a car accident. Our team is available 24/7—unlike typical attorneys—to answer your questions and begin building your case. Evidence can disappear, and statutes of limitations can impact your ability to file a claim. Contact Harrington & Harrington today to speak with an experienced car accident attorney who will fight for the compensation you deserve. Don’t let the complexities of the legal system prevent you from seeking justice. Call or visit us online to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward securing your future.

Legal Representation in Negligence Cases for Families Who Suffer Fatal Injury Losses

Losing a loved one in an avoidable accident is a devastating experience. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral expenses, loss of income, emotional pain, and more. Harrington & Harrington specializes in personal injury litigation. With decades of experience handling negligence cases, we know the landscape, we know how these cases go, and are dedicated to helping families secure justice.

Negligence cases require a thorough investigation to determine liability and build a strong case. This often involves reviewing accident reports, consulting with experts, and gathering witness statements. Our attorneys work diligently to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable, whether it’s a negligent driver, a company, or a government entity.

For families grieving a loss, navigating the legal system can feel overwhelming. Then there’s the insurance company of the driver who caused the crash. Insurance companies have powerful in-house legal teams, adjusters, and actuaries whose job is to look for ways to reduce or avoid liability. They might ask you or your family member to make statements that can be twisted or misinterpreted to undermine your claim, or they could pressure you into accepting a settlement before you fully understand the long-term impacts of your injuries. Unfortunately, many accident victims are unaware of these tactics and fall victim to them, leading to settlements that don’t even begin to cover their losses.

This is why having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side is essential. At Harrington & Harrington, we know how to handle insurance companies and their tricks. We will be proactive in protecting your rights, gathering all necessary evidence, and presenting a strong case to ensure that you are compensated fairly. We won’t let the insurance companies dictate the terms of your recovery. We understand the intricacies of personal injury claims in multi-vehicle crash situations, and we fight tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Harrington & Harrington provides compassionate guidance for you and your family, ensuring your case is handled with care and professionalism. We fight tirelessly to achieve favorable outcomes, allowing families to focus on healing and honoring their loved ones.

Our Boston Personal Injury Office Helps Clients in Revere, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Winthrop and Beyond

Harrington & Harrington proudly serves clients throughout the Greater Boston area, including Canton, Revere, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Winthrop, and everywhere in-between. Whether you’re seeking representation for a car accident, wrongful death, or personal injury case, our team is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

With a deep understanding of Massachusetts law and decades of experience, our attorneys are equipped to handle a wide range of personal injury cases. From negotiating settlements to litigating in court, we provide unwavering support to clients in need. No matter where you are in the Greater Boston area, Harrington & Harrington is ready to fight for your rights.

Our commitment to excellence has earned us a reputation as trusted advocates for accident victims. Let us help you navigate the legal challenges ahead and secure the compensation you deserve. Reach out to Harrington & Harrington today.