Injuries Reported in Three-Vehicle Crash on Old Hammond Hwy in Baton Rouge, LA
Baton Rouge, LA — June 9, 2022, injuries and a fuel spill were reported after a three-vehicle crash on Old Hammond Highway in Baton Rouge.
According to reports the incident happened around 8:00 a.m. near the intersection of Old Hammond and Sharp Lane. Preliminary investigation suggests only that two commercial 18-wheelers and another vehicle collided in the area, causing one of the big rigs' saddle tanks to rupture. The tank leaked 50-60 gallons of diesel fuel onto the roadway.
Minor injuries were reported after the crash.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Three-Vehicle Accident on Old Hammond Hwy in Baton Rouge
Authorities are still trying to work out exactly what happened here, but no matter what the cause of the crash turns out to be at least it's some silver lining that the only injuries sustained were minor. Considering the wreck involved not one but two commercial trucks I consider that good news.
Of course it may be a little premature to celebrate. I have seen some cases where preliminary reports don't have all the information they need to accurately say how bad the damage was, and sometimes "minor" injuries turn out to be anything but.
For example, a man came to me a while back about an accident where a big rig rear-ended him. His supposedly-minor injuries got worse over several days and it turned out he actually ruptured a disk in his spine and needed surgery. When it came time to take responsibility for that, though, the insurance company started arguing against the legitimacy of the man's injuries.
They said the injury wasn't as serious as we suggested, they said the surgery wasn't necessary, they said all the tests needed to accurately diagnose the injury were excessive, etc. Only after we shut all that down with clear evidence and expert testimony did the company grudgingly cooperate and help the victim.
Maybe nothing as drastic as that other case will happen after the Baton Rouge accident, but all the same I see no reason to take it lightly. It's always best to get all the information possible in case things take a turn.
