Driving in Hammond. What Makes Local Roads Risky
Hammond sits at the intersection of I-12 and I-55, one of Louisiana’s busiest junctions, where traffic from Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Mississippi converges. This makes the city a true crossroads, and a hotspot for serious car accidents. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Hammond, let one of the car accident lawyers from Dudley DeBosier help you get the compensation you deserve.
Add in commuter congestion on University Avenue and SW Railroad Avenue, heavy truck traffic moving through the industrial corridor, and constant student drivers near Southeastern Louisiana University, and Hammond’s roads test even the most experienced motorists.
In 2024, the LSU Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS) reported that Tangipahoa Parish recorded 4,553 crashes, with 1,648 injuries and 30 fatalities. Many of those occurred within the Hammond city limits, where interstate speed collides with local congestion.
Common Causes of Hammond Car Accidents
Drivers here face risks that go beyond the ordinary:
- Congested Interchanges: The I-12/I-55 split is a choke point for commuters and truckers alike, where sudden lane changes often trigger pileups.
- Student and Pedestrian Traffic: Around Southeastern’s campus, young drivers and heavy foot traffic increase the odds of distraction-related crashes.
- Weather and Flooding: Low-lying streets near Ponchatoula Creek flood quickly, creating hydroplaning hazards and sudden road closures.
- Nighttime Driving: With Hammond’s vibrant downtown nightlife, late-night crashes involving speeding and impaired driving are unfortunately common.
Car Accident Injuries That Change Lives in Hammond
Car accidents can cause almost every type of injury imaginable. Some of the most common and devastating injuries that people in Hammon suffer when they’re involved in collisions include:
- Neck and Back Trauma: A Southeastern student rear-ended on University Avenue faced months of physical therapy before returning to class.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: A commuter struck by a truck along I-55 required multiple surgeries and extended rehab in Baton Rouge.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: One Hammond resident involved in a crash on US-190 continues to suffer from memory loss and dizziness long after the accident.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: A worker hurt in a rural Tangipahoa Parish crash lost his ability to return to warehouse labor, a devastating blow to his livelihood.
Each case shows how car accidents in Hammond can leave victims not only with hospital bills but with long-term losses that affect families, careers, and futures.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Hammond
If you are hit on I-55, sideswiped downtown, or injured on a flooded parish road, your steps afterward matter:
- Report the crash. Hammond Police or Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff deputies respond quickly, while State Police Troop L usually covers crashes that occur on interstates. Their official reports will anchor your insurance claim.
- Get checked by a doctor. Visit North Oaks Medical Center or another ER immediately, as many injuries don’t show symptoms until hours later.
- Document everything. Take photos of damage, flooding, traffic lights, and license plates, especially if the other driver is from out of state.
- Avoid fast settlements. Insurers often push lowball offers. Don’t sign until you know the full value of your case.
- Talk to a Hammond car accident lawyer. Local knowledge of Louisiana’s traffic laws and insurance issues makes a difference in how much compensation you receive.
Compensation Available After a Hammond Crash
Recovery after a wreck in Hammond means more than covering medical bills. Victims here have pursued damages for:
- Medical and Rehabilitation Costs: A Hammond commuter injured at the I-12/I-55 split secured coverage for ongoing therapy after herniated disc surgery.
- Lost Wages and Future Income: An injured refinery worker from the parish could not return to shift work, and his claim included years of lost earning power.
- Pain, Suffering, and Lifestyle Changes: One local resident struck near Cate Square Park could no longer participate in community events, and compensation recognized the personal toll.
- Vehicle Repair or Replacement: Many claims in Hammond involve significant property damage because interstate collisions often result in totaled vehicles.
Insurance Issues Hammond Drivers Face
Louisiana requires 15/30/25 liability coverage, but many Tangipahoa drivers carry only the minimum. After a serious crash, it rarely covers full losses. Other issues include:
- Comparative negligence, where insurers try to blame you partly for the wreck to reduce payouts
- Uninsured/underinsured drivers, a frequent risk at Hammond’s busy interchanges
- Learner’s permit drivers, common around Southeastern’s campus, raise complex liability questions
- Denied claims, which often require legal pressure before insurers pay fairly
Your Next Step After a Car Accident in Hammond
Contact Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7, and because of our No Fee Guarantee®, you pay us no fees, costs, or expenses unless we recover compensation for you.
