Haverhill, MA — Rescue Crews Respond to Two-Vehicle Crash with Entrapment at Charles and Primrose St

Haverhill Fire and Police units arrived to find two vehicles involved in the impact, with reports indicating at least one occupant was trapped inside the wreckage. Firefighters utilized specialized extrication tools to reach the victims. While the exact extent of the injuries has not been confirmed, paramedics were on-site to provide care.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash.

We hope those injured in this accident make a full and speedy recovery.

Accidents requiring extrication are high-impact events that often lead to complex insurance claims and significant medical needs. If you were involved in these types of crashes, navigating the Massachusetts "no-fault" system is the first step toward recovery.

In Massachusetts, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is your primary source for medical coverage. Regardless of who caused the accident, your own insurance is responsible for paying the first $8,000 of your medical bills and lost wages. Understanding how PIP coordinates with your health insurance is essential to ensure your treatments are fully covered without out-of-pocket delays.

While PIP handles the bills, it does not compensate you for the trauma of being trapped or the resulting physical pain. To seek damages from the at-fault driver for "pain and suffering," your case must meet the Massachusetts Tort Threshold. This requires that your medical expenses exceed $2,000, or that the injury involved a broken bone, permanent disfigurement, or a significant loss of function. Given the force required for vehicle entrapment, many victims meet this threshold, but professional medical documentation is required to satisfy legal standards.

Massachusetts follows a 51% Comparative Negligence rule: you can recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% at fault for the crash. Evidence such as the crash report, witness statements, and photos of the vehicle impact points are vital. 

When a vehicle is cut by rescue tools, the physical evidence of the impact can be altered. However, the vehicle’s Event Data Recorder (EDR) or "black box" still stores vital data on speed and braking in the seconds before the crash. Since the vehicles in these types of collisions are likely totaled, it is critical to issue a "spoliation letter" to the tow yard or insurance company to prevent the wreckage from being crushed before this digital evidence can be retrieved.

Speaking with a car accident lawyer can be helpful after a crash, especially when dealing with reports, records, and next steps. Legal guidance can help avoid delays and confusion during the claims process.

If you were injured in a crash in Haverhill or anywhere in Massachusetts, you can contact Attorney Christopher Fiorentino of Fiorentino Legal, P.C. at (617) 990-2568 to learn more about your legal options.