Rollover accident

[Trekrider]

Here are a few shots from a one vehicle rollover accident last week. Thankfully the driver was not seriously hurt.

[Brains]

Glad the driver is ok.. Had a PT Cruiser for a rental once -- I will *never* drive one of those POS's again. Quite possibly the worst vehicle I've ever driven.

[toverman]

Glad the wreck wasn't as bad as it could be. Modern cars (even "PT Losers") are mostly safe enough to protect drivers in rollovers. Wasn't always that way, and I've got some shots in my archives of wrecks that didn't end so well.

It looks like you were able to get close. With car wrecks, one thing I always tried to do was photograph the entire scene from many different angles. You may have done this, but getting the entire car in a shot could tell more of the story. For example, a blown tire or front-end damage could signal why there was a wreck in the first place.

Worst cars I ever drove (never owned) were the early model years of the Ford Explorer. They'd all rock back and forth even on smooth roads and didn't take turns well at all.

[Trekrider]

I took many shots of the scene from most every side, I just like these the best. My main focus for the shots was the EMS crew rather than the accident in general. Thanks for the pointers, I love the feedback I get here, every bit helps make me better. I am going to start doing more accidents and other emergency scenes. The reason I can get close is the badge in my pocket. I know that may be a bit of a cheat but hey, you do waht you can.

[toverman]

That's cool, Robert. I figured you had some "credential" to get that close. Normally, as a reporter/photographer, I made it a point to stay out of the way.

At my first newspaper job, we all had good rapport with the Sheriff's Department, DPS Troopers and city police so that sometimes they asked us to get photos to share with them (which we did). Lots of twisty country roads, gravel county roads, a high-speed unlimited-access highway and an interstate. I was way too young to see some of the things I did, but that's why I have a lot of respect for the law enforcement officers and paramedics who live it every day.

[Trekrider]

I have been in law enforcement on and off for twenty years and I have seen just about all there is to see. Unfortunately after a few years you begin to become desensitized by it all. The result is that it can really turn you off emotionally.

[toverman]

It can get that way in the newspaper biz, even though I wasn't as hands-on when it came to tragedy. Speaking to the families and friends of victims was usually hard, but sadly got easier, too.