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Forensic Aerial Photography for
Traffic Accident Reconstruction
Investigation and Litigation.

Steve Porter is a Traffic Accident Reconstructionist who has been working in Arizona as an expert court witness for Attorneys and Insurance companies since 1981.  He began using vertical aerial photography to document physical evidence (skid marks, impact gouges, fluid stains, etc.) at accident locations in 1986.  Aerial photographs, when taken properly, are an ideal means of recording the characteristics and precise location of the physical evidence relating to traffic accidents.



Advantages in the use of Aerial Photography in Accident Documentation.

Provides a precise record of all evidence.
Police officers and accident investigators cannot measure everything at an accident location - especially when the evidence is within the traffic lanes.  An aerial photograph provides an inexpensive, accurate and immediate record of all visible evidence.

The image to the left (Golf Links & Swan Rd., Tucson, AZ) demonstrates collision evidence where a left turning vehicle was struck in the right side by a westbound car. The graphic representation focuses in on the impact gouges, tire scuff marks and fucia colored police markings.

Records the roadway layout and characteristics.
An error in the reproduction of the roadway layout can destroy an otherwise good personal injury case.  Complete surveys of accident sites are usually cost prohibitive.  Manual measurements have been to some the only alternative, but commonly require the expensive time of a professional.  An aerial (from Steve Porter Custom Aerial Photography) will generally be of comparable cost or less than measurements but will result in a more thorough and accurate record.

 

Eliminates the need for multiple site visits.
With the blanket documentation provided with an aerial, additional trips to the accident location become unnecessary as previously unrecognized or forgotten issues come to light.  For example, a witness or police report supplement references a fire hydrant, a pole or other location at the accident site which was not measured or recorded because it's significance had not been recognized.  Typically, the aerial's coverage will have already documented the previously unrecognized concern.



Increases the visual quality of trial presentations.
As a trial exhibit, few displays carry the impact of a full color aerial enlargement.  They are more impressive than diagrams - and juries will likely place greater confidence in (and better comprehend) distances demonstrated in court on an aerial map than they will on those taken from a diagram.  With aerial enlargements, vehicles can be digitally removed from traffic lanes within the image when necessary.  In terms of cost, aerial enlargement prices for courtroom presentations are comparable to scale diagrams.


Sample Accident Related Images



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Traffic Accident Location Aerial Photo Requests

With photo flights being flown on a regular basis within the Phoenix metropolitan area, prices have been kept at a minimum. 

  • Locations are shot with 16.7 megapixle digital equipment - yielding a very high detail image.

  • Images can be posted to the internet for immediate access. Photographic prints can be available within one to two working days of the flight when necessary.


  • Scaled enlargements can be included with the job request. Immediate or same-day response flights are available as time and circumstances permit.


  • Prices are quoted on an individual basis.


    • Contact Information

    Steve Porter Arizona Aerial Photography
    3917 E. Des Moines Street, Mesa, Arizona 85205
    Office/Fax: (480) 821-5128
    Email: aerials@steveporter.com
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    Property Aerials || Construction Progress ||     Vertical Art