Under what condition may a lay witness testify about speed in an accident?

Under what condition may a lay witness testify about speed in an accident?

• A. A lay witness may testify to speed if it is rationally based on the witness's perception and helps the fact-finder.
• B. A lay witness may testify to speed only if they have expertise in accident reconstruction.
• C. Lay opinions about speed are never admissible.
• D. A lay witness may testify about speed based on perception and speculation.

Answer: (A)

A lay witness may testify about speed when their impression comes from their perception of what they observed and will help the fact-finder understand the case. This follows Rule 701, which allows lay opinions if they are rationally based on the witness’s senses and are helpful, without needing specialized expertise. So describing that a vehicle was moving fast or slow can be admissible as a lay opinion if it reflects what the witness actually perceived. The other notions—requiring accident reconstruction expertise (that’s for experts), stating lay opinions about speed are never admissible (false), or allowing perception plus speculation (speculation isn’t allowed)—don’t fit the rule.

A lay witness may testify about speed when their impression comes from their perception of what they observed and will help the fact-finder understand the case. This follows Rule 701, which allows lay opinions if they are rationally based on the witness’s senses and are helpful, without needing specialized expertise. So describing that a vehicle was moving fast or slow can be admissible as a lay opinion if it reflects what the witness actually perceived. The other notions—requiring accident reconstruction expertise (that’s for experts), stating lay opinions about speed are never admissible (false), or allowing perception plus speculation (speculation isn’t allowed)—don’t fit the rule.