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Two Hurt, Two Killed in Rear-End Accident on Route 28 in Middleboro

January 22, 2013

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Two people were tragically killed and two others were hurt in a recent daytime crash on Route 28 in Middleboro. According to local police, the three-car accident occurred when a southbound Mercury Mariner driven by 67-year-old Louis Cerrone of Sandwich stopped on Route 28 to make a left turn. Middleboro Police Chief Bruce Gates said the Mercury was then rear-ended by a Toyota Yaris. Following the initial crash, the Toyota reportedly spun into the path of oncoming traffic. A northbound Dodge Neon driven by 55-year-old Phyllis Smart of Brockton allegedly struck the driver's side of the Toyota.

After the accident, emergency crews reportedly transported Smart's passenger, 91-year-old Ruth Smart, to Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston via emergency helicopter. Sadly, the elderly woman died as a result of the injuries she sustained in the traffic wreck. The driver of the Toyota, 86-year-old Fernando Frates of Taunton, was taken by ambulance to Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton where he also died. Gates said both Cerrone and Phyllis Smart were also transported by ambulance to area hospitals with unknown injuries.

Although it is currently unclear whether speed played a role in the deadly accident, a Massachusetts State Police reconstruction team purportedly determined that the crash was caused by Frates. According to police, no charges are expected to be filed in connection with the collision.

Unfortunately, rear-end crashes like this one are quite common throughout Massachusetts. Insurance companies often work hard to deny the valid personal injury claim of someone who was hit from behind by another driver. The law in Massachusetts generally assumes that rear-end accidents were caused by a motorist who was simply following too closely or not paying attention to the flow of traffic. Broken bones, damaged nerves, and a neck or spine injury may result when someone is struck from behind by another car, truck, or other vehicle. In addition, connective tissue trauma like whiplash may cause the victim of a rear-end accident to suffer debilitating headaches and other pain.

If you were injured in a rear-end or other motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, any resulting disability, pain and suffering, and a variety of other damages. A qualified personal injury lawyer can help you file your claim.

If you were hurt in a Massachusetts automobile accident, you should give the Law Offices of Sousa & Sousa, P.C. a call at (508) 230-5300 in Brockton. Our experienced Taunton car wreck lawyers focus their practice exclusively on personal injury law. The capable attorneys at Sousa & Sousa have more than 37 years of combined experience helping the victims of tragic injury accidents receive the damages they deserve. The Law Offices of Sousa & Sousa, P.C. is available to assist clients who were injured in Norton, Easton, Stoughton, Brockton, Taunton, Bridgewater, and many other surrounding towns. To speak with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer today, please contact the Law Offices of Sousa & Sousa, P.C. through the law firm's website.

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