What Happens If You’re Injured Before the Traffic Light Installation Was Completed?

When Tempe announces a new traffic light installation, it usually follows community complaints or crash data that prove the area is dangerous. But what happens when the city knows an intersection is risky, approves the fix… and you still get injured in a collision before the light is ever turned on?

This type of timing issue—being injured during the gap between the city’s decision and its action—can leave victims feeling like they’ve fallen into a legal gray zone.

At our Tempe crash information center, we break down liability issues involving city infrastructure. Here’s what to know if your car accident occurred before a traffic signal was installed, and what options you may have.

Why Some Tempe Intersections Go Months Without Traffic Signals

In fast-growing neighborhoods like Meyer Park or along rural segments of South Tempe, it’s not uncommon to see intersections without lights—especially when development outpaces infrastructure.

The City of Tempe or Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) may approve a traffic signal based on:

• High accident rates

• Dangerous pedestrian crossings

• Complaints from nearby schools or businesses

• New construction increasing vehicle volume

Even after approval, it can take months for a signal to be installed and activated. That window of vulnerability is when many serious accidents occur.

Can You Hold the City or ADOT Responsible?

Possibly—but these cases are complex. Arizona law allows lawsuits against public entities for dangerous conditions of public property, but with important restrictions.

The question becomes: Did the city act with gross negligence in failing to act sooner or warn drivers?

To pursue a claim against the City of Tempe or ADOT, you must:

1. Prove the intersection was unreasonably dangerous without a signal

2. Show the city knew or should have known it was unsafe

3. Demonstrate that a delay in installation contributed to your injuries

4. File a Notice of Claim within 180 days under A.R.S. § 12-821.01

For more on this process, see our article on filing a claim against the City of Tempe.

When Lack of a Signal Becomes Negligence

Normally, cities and the state have discretion when making infrastructure decisions. But once a hazard is acknowledged and a fix is approved, delay can become liability.

Courts may consider:

• Whether crashes were already occurring at that intersection

• Whether the area lacked warning signs or temporary traffic controls

• Whether there was a reasonable expectation that drivers wouldn’t yield

• If the timeline for installation was unnecessarily delayed

If any of these apply, you may have grounds to hold the city accountable.

Examples of Dangerous Unsignalized Intersections

While any Tempe intersection can be dangerous without traffic lights, areas with complex lane patterns or poor visibility are especially risky. This includes:

• Unsignalized cross-streets in Escalante

• Roads under construction without temporary stop controls

• Intersections near schools or parks, where pedestrians cross frequently

• New housing developments feeding into high-speed roads

If your crash occurred under such conditions, be sure to document them in your claim.

Common Injuries in These Crashes

Accidents at uncontrolled or barely controlled intersections often involve:

• T-bone collisions

• Pedestrian impacts

• Distracted driver crashes

• Spinal cord injuries

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Crashes involving uninsured drivers

These cases are rarely minor—and the longer a light is delayed, the more evidence there is that harm was foreseeable.

What If the Signal Was Installed the Week After Your Crash?

Timing matters. If the city had already approved the light but hadn’t yet installed it when your crash occurred, this may strengthen your case. Internal communications from the city or ADOT, budget approvals, or contractor delays could all play a role in showing:

• Knowledge of the hazard

• Failure to act quickly

• Foreseeable risk that was ignored

An experienced claim investigator may request this documentation through a public records request or discovery process.

What Damages Can Be Recovered?

If successful in your claim, you could recover compensation for:

• Medical bills and future treatment

• Pain and suffering

• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity

• Vehicle damage

• Emotional trauma

• Long-term disability (e.g., paralysis)

Steps to Take After a Crash at a Dangerous Intersection

If you're injured in an area awaiting a traffic signal, make sure to:

1. Call police and get a report filed

2. Take photos of the intersection—especially if there are no lights, signs, or clear right-of-way markings

3. Talk to residents or local business owners who may confirm ongoing issues

4. Request public records on the planned traffic light installation

5. File a Notice of Claim if the city or ADOT may be at fault

Don’t wait to begin the process—government claims are subject to strict deadlines and will be dismissed if filed late.

Final Thoughts

You shouldn’t have to suffer because the government moved too slowly to fix a known danger. If you were hurt before a traffic light installation was completed, there may be a path forward. Holding the city or state accountable isn’t easy, but it is possible—especially when the evidence shows the delay cost you more than just inconvenience.

For similar topics, explore crashes caused by malfunctioning signals or poor road signage. For a broader overview of your rights, see our legal resources section.