Knoxville Crash Leads to Downed Powerline

Knoxville, TN (March 30, 2021) The Knoxville Utilities Board reports that approximately 700 people in Knoxville are without power following a crash that occured on March 30th. Rescue crews are expected to reopen one lane of traffic around 4:45 pm with the area entirely cleaned up by 6 pm. In the interim, drivers have been requested to utilize Westland Drive as a detour. Drivers in the area are recommended to continue exercising caution.

Data compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found that trees are the most commonly struck fixed object. Forty-eight percent of fatalities in fixed object collisions in 2019 involved vehicles striking trees. Utility poles as well as traffic barriers were the next most commonly struck object and represent 11 to 9 percent of fatalities.

Your first impulse if a live power cable touches your vehicle will likely be to panic. It’s critical, however, to remain calm. You will also likely need to make a decision about whether or not it is safe for you to remain in your vehicle. If the cable has come into contact with the car, the cable will electrify the car’s body. As a result, it will likely be crucial for you to avoid touching any metal parts of the car at risk of electrocution. 

Speak with an Experienced Knoxville Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Tennessee car crashes involving downed power lines and someone else is responsible for causing the crash, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced attorney. Contact Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette today to schedule a free case evaluation.

Note: This post was written based on available resources, news stories, and online reports about this incident. As is often the case with fast breaking news, there is always the risk that some details are still being shared and uncovered. Please contact us if you notice any information that should be changed or added. Thanks!