Liberty Street Construction and Driver Injury Claims in Knoxville

The Liberty Street Multimodal Project has transformed one of Knoxville’s most active corridors into an ongoing construction zone, creating new hazards for drivers navigating this stretch every day. Liberty Street holds a designation on Knoxville’s High Injury Network, meaning city planners had documented knowledge of elevated crash risk on this corridor before construction equipment ever arrived. Active construction zones bring changed traffic patterns, shifting lane markings, contractor vehicles, and inadequate signage — all of which increase the risk of serious driver injuries. OEB Law has spent over 20 years representing injured Knoxville residents and understands exactly how Tennessee law applies when construction activity contributes to a crash. In this blog post, Knoxville attorney Tim Elrod discusses Liberty Street construction and driver injury claims in Knoxville.

Key Takeaways

• Liberty Street is a designated High Injury Network corridor, meaning the City of Knoxville had prior documented notice of dangerous conditions before construction began.
• Multiple parties may be liable for your injuries, including the contractor Southern Constructors, Inc., subcontractors, and the City of Knoxville.
• Tennessee’s Governmental Tort Liability Act requires a 120-day notice before you can sue the city, in addition to the one-year personal injury statute of limitations — missing either deadline can permanently end your claim.
• Tennessee’s one-year statute of limitations under T.C.A. § 28-3-104 applies to personal injury claims — act quickly to protect your rights.

To Discuss Your Case, Call or Text Our Team Standing By 24/7: (865) 546-1111

About OEB Law, Your Knoxville Legal Team

This guide is provided by the experienced attorneys at OEB Law, led by Managing Attorney Timothy G. Elrod. Founded in Knoxville in 2004, our firm has over 50 years of combined experience navigating East Tennessee’s legal system.

We have successfully represented thousands of personal injury clients, developing deep expertise in Tennessee’s complex wrongful death and accident laws. As East Tennessee natives, we have a direct understanding of the local court systems, law enforcement agencies, and community needs. Our commitment is to provide trusted, authoritative information to our neighbors in Knoxville and the surrounding Tennessee communities. However, this information does not constitute legal advice. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident or needs legal help, call us today for a free, no obligation, initial consultation.

What Is the Liberty Street Multimodal Project and Why Does It Matter for Injury Claims?

The Liberty Street Multimodal Project is a city-approved infrastructure improvement running along the Liberty Street corridor in Knoxville, with Southern Constructors, Inc. named as the awarded contractor. The project focuses on sidewalk upgrades, bike lane construction, and streetscape improvements. For passing motorists, this means navigating lane shifts, temporary markings, construction equipment, and signage that may not always reflect current road conditions. These factors create a heightened risk of collisions, and when those crashes happen, determining responsibility requires a close look at how the zone was managed.

Why the High Injury Network Designation Matters for Your Claim

Liberty Street’s inclusion in Knoxville’s High Injury Network, documented through the Knoxville Regional Roadway Safety Action Plan, is legally significant. That designation establishes that the City of Knoxville had constructive notice of elevated crash risk on this corridor before construction began. Knoxville’s Vision Zero program — the city’s published policy commitment to eliminating serious traffic injuries and fatalities — provides documented context for evaluating whether reasonable safety measures were taken.

Here is what the High Injury Network designation can mean for your claim:

• The city had prior documented knowledge of elevated crash risk on this corridor.
• Construction activity that increases hazard without adequate mitigation may constitute a failure to act on known danger.
• Vision Zero policy documents can be subpoenaed as evidence of the city’s own published safety standards.
• A Knoxville personal injury attorney can use these documents to build a stronger negligence case against both the city and the contractor.

“When a city designates a corridor as part of its High Injury Network and then permits active construction that alters traffic patterns, they have a responsibility to make sure drivers are protected. If they fall short of that responsibility and someone gets hurt, that documentation matters.” – Knoxville attorney Tim Elrod

For more information about how Tennessee law applies to construction-related injuries, visit OEB Law’s personal injury service page.

Who Is Liable for Driver Injuries Near the Liberty Street Construction Zone?

Liability in a construction zone accident is rarely assigned to a single party. Multiple defendants, such as the contractor, the city, and potentially subcontractors, may all share responsibility depending on how the accident occurred. Understanding who bears liability determines which deadlines apply, which insurance carriers are involved, and where your claim must be filed.

Southern Constructors, Inc. — Contractor Liability

As the awarded contractor, Southern Constructors, Inc. has a legal duty to maintain safe conditions throughout the active construction zone. That duty includes proper placement of signs, barriers, and lane markings, as well as worker coordination that does not create sudden hazards for passing drivers. If their actions or omissions contributed to your accident, you may have a direct claim against the contractor and their insurance carrier. These claims are governed by standard negligence principles and fall under Tennessee’s one-year personal injury statute of limitations.

City of Knoxville — Government Entity Claims

Claims against the City of Knoxville are governed by the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act (TGTLA), T.C.A. § 29-20-201 et seq. Before filing a lawsuit against the city, you must first file a formal Notice of Claim within 120 days of your injury under T.C.A. § 29-20-302. That notice must be filed with the City of Knoxville Law Director’s Office and must contain specific required information. A defective notice may fail the substantial compliance standard and bar your government claim.

Your TGTLA Notice must include:

• Your name and address
• The date, time, and location of the incident
• A description of how the accident occurred
• The nature and extent of your injuries
• The amount of damages claimed, if known

Tennessee’s Comparative Fault Rule and Construction Zones

Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule under T.C.A. § 29-11-103. If you are found 50% or more at fault for your own accident, you cannot recover any compensation. Insurance defense attorneys frequently argue that drivers in construction zones were speeding, distracted, or ignoring posted signs. Additionally, Tennessee doubles fines for speeding in construction zones under T.C.A. § 55-8-153, and defense attorneys may use any traffic violation as leverage to shift fault onto you. This is why having experienced legal representation from the outset matters so much.

For help with vehicle accident claims near the Liberty Street corridor, visit OEB Law’s car accident service page.

What to Do After a Driver Injury in the Liberty Street Construction Zone

The actions you take in the hours and days immediately following a construction zone accident can determine whether your claim succeeds or fails. Evidence in these zones disappears quickly, as signage moves, barriers get repositioned, and lane configurations change from one shift to the next. Acting fast is not just helpful; it is essential.

Follow these steps after an injury near the Liberty Street construction zone:

1. Seek medical attention immediately — even if injuries seem minor, medical documentation is the foundation of your claim.
2. Call the Knoxville Police Department — a KPD accident report creates an official record; request a copy through KPD's records division.
3. Photograph the scene — document construction signage, lane markings, barriers, skid marks, vehicle positions, and any visible construction equipment or workers.
4. Note contractor information — if Southern Constructors or subcontractor vehicles are present, photograph company markings, license plates, or posted contractor signs.
5. Preserve evidence of construction zone conditions — the layout that caused your accident may look completely different within days.
6. Contact a Knoxville personal injury attorney immediately — the 120-day TGTLA notice deadline begins on the date of your injury, not the date you hire an attorney.

"Construction zones are dynamic environments. Signage gets moved, barriers get repositioned, and the layout that caused your accident may look completely different a week later. The evidence you gather at the scene — or that we gather immediately after you call us — can make or break your case." - Knoxville attorney Tim Elrod

Tennessee's one-year statute of limitations under T.C.A. § 28-3-104 applies to personal injury claims, but the 120-day TGTLA notice requirement for government claims is an earlier, harder deadline that cannot be missed. The experienced attorneys at OEB Law handle TGTLA notice filing on behalf of clients, ensuring every required detail is included correctly. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing in attorney fees unless we win your case. You can also use our car wreck settlement calculator to get a general estimate of your claim's potential value.

Timothy G. Elrod is recognized on Super Lawyers for his work representing injured Knoxville clients. You can also review his profile on FindLaw and Avvo to learn more about his background and client recognition.

Why Choose OEB Law for Liberty Street Construction Injury Claims

Liberty Street construction zone injury claims are uniquely complex. They can involve government entity claims under the TGTLA, direct contractor negligence, and Tennessee's modified comparative fault framework, all operating under different rules and deadlines. A missed TGTLA notice, an improperly described incident, or a failure to document construction zone conditions can derail an otherwise strong claim. OEB Law has spent over 20 years representing Knox County residents in personal injury cases and understands the specific procedural requirements that apply when the City of Knoxville is a potential defendant. Recognized by Super Lawyers and with numerous 5 Star Google Reviews, our firm has guided East Tennessee clients through complex, multi-party cases. You pay nothing in attorney fees unless OEB Law wins — that is our commitment to every personal injury client.

Who is OEB Law and Why Are They Good for the Community?

Led by Managing Attorney Timothy G. Elrod and Our Experienced Legal Team

Founded in 2004 in Knoxville, Tennessee, OEB Law has grown over nearly two decades to now serve clients across multiple states. Tim Elrod established the firm with a simple but powerful mission: we care and we help people. Today, together with attorneys Michael Bernard, Billy Sivyer, Gena Lewis, and Logan Wade, our team brings over 50 years of combined experience representing clients throughout Tennessee and Kentucky in personal injury and criminal defense cases.

Our Legal Expertise

Our attorneys have built their reputation through:

• Successfully representing thousands of personal injury and criminal defense clients
• Developing specialized knowledge across all types of accident and injury cases
• Mastering the complexities of Tennessee's legal system through decades of practice

Why Trust Us

At OEB Law, our reputation speaks for itself:

• Proven Results: We've recovered significant compensation for our clients through both settlements and courtroom verdicts
• Client Satisfaction: Our numerous 5 Star Google Reviews showcase our commitment to responsive, caring, and effective legal representation
• No Fee Unless We Win: You don't pay attorney fees unless we successfully secure compensation in your case
• Local Knowledge: As East Tennessee natives, we understand our community and care deeply about the people we serve
• Personalized Approach: We personalize each case to meet our clients' specific needs, ensuring you're never just another file number

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Our dedication extends beyond the courtroom. We proudly support:

• Local high school football programs through Rivalry Thursday sponsorships
• The Knoxville Ice Bears and community fundraising initiatives
• Numerous youth, student, and community organizations throughout East Tennessee

"We don't just take—we give back because the people you're giving back to are the people who are supporting your firm." - Tim Elrod

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