Two Hospitalized After Fiery Crash on Queen Anne Rd in Harwich, MA

Harwich, MA (September 16, 2026) – On Tuesday night, September 15, two people were taken to the hospital after their car caught fire following a collision with a tree at Queen Anne Road and Main Street. 

According to the Harwich Fire Department, emergency units were called to the intersection around 1:39 a.m. after reports that a car was ablaze with people still inside.

A nearby resident reached the vehicle before first responders arrived and helped pull both occupants out. "I called the police department twice. And I told them I saw a fire as well. So when I got across the street, the car was a blaze and the guy was lying on the street".

A preliminary investigation found the 2010 Mercedes-Benz struck a tree before catching fire. The passenger managed to get out on her own, while the driver was unresponsive and needed help reaching safety. 

Both of the injured people were taken to Cape Cod Hospital and are expected to recover.

The cause of the wreck remains under investigation. 

We hope both people make a full recovery.

How Does Massachusetts PIP Coverage Work After a Car Crash in Harwich, MA?

Massachusetts requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, which pays for medical bills and some lost wages after a crash regardless of who caused it. 

Every auto policy in the state must include at least $8,000 in PIP coverage, and it applies to the driver as well as any passengers in the vehicle. Massachusetts follows a no-fault system, which means an injured person can typically access these benefits quickly, without waiting for a liability determination.

PIP has limits, though, and those limits can matter a great deal when medical treatment extends beyond what the coverage pays for. An injured passenger can pursue a separate claim against the at-fault party's liability insurance when PIP benefits are exhausted or when injuries meet Massachusetts's legal threshold for pain and suffering claims. That threshold generally requires medical expenses to exceed a set dollar amount or involve a qualifying type of injury, such as a fracture or permanent disfigurement.

Sorting out how PIP interacts with a potential liability claim can get complicated fast, especially when medical costs climb or multiple people are in the vehicle. PIP and liability claims usually overlap, so many people find it helpful to have a car accident lawyer in Massachusetts review their policy and medical bills early on. 

Our team at Fiorentino Legal, P.C. helps clients across Massachusetts work through PIP claims and determine whether a liability claim may also be available. If you are dealing with a situation of this type, we can go over your medical documentation to see whether your case meets the state's threshold for additional compensation. 

You can call Fiorentino Legal, P.C. at (617) 990-2568. We're happy to walk through how these overlapping coverages might apply to your specific situation.

Note: This post is based on information obtained from publicly available secondary sources. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, Fiorentino Legal, P.C. has not independently verified all details of the incident reported. If you notice any inaccuracies or missing information, please contact Fiorentino Legal, P.C. so we can promptly review and update the content.

Disclaimer: The content of this post is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal or medical advice. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship with Fiorentino Legal, P.C. If you have been injured in an accident, seek appropriate medical care and consult a qualified attorney regarding your legal options. Any images included are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual accident scene or individuals involved.