Opinion ID: 1631067
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Expert Bentley

Text: ś 58. Carla next argues that the trial court erred by permitting defense expert witness John Bentley to testify concerning issues previously limited by court order. The trial court ordered that Bentley's opinion would be limited to that of a reasonably prudent driver approaching from the rear. This ruling was similar to limits placed on Carla's expert witnesses. ś 59. Carla asserts that the trial court erroneously permitted two previously limited statements during Bentley's direct examination. The first statement was elicited after defense counsel asked Bentley his opinion on whether Preston Utz had ample time and distance to avoid the collision. The following exchange occurred: Q. And reviewing the testimony and listening to the testimony these last few days, do you have an opinion, based on reasonable engineering certainty, as to whether or not Preston Utz had ample time and distance to avoid the impact with the tractor-trailer? A. Yes, sir. Q. And what is that opinion? A. That there was sufficient time and distance available to Mr. Utz to comfortably slow his vehicle or make a lane change to the left lane. Counsel for Carla requested to approach the bench and then objected to the first statement. The trial court asked why the objection was not made before Bentley testified. After further discussion, the trial court overruled the objection. The second opinion elicited was as follows: Q. Mr. Bentley, would a reasonably prudent driver have had ample time and distance to avoid collision with this trailer? A. Yes, sir. Q. Tell us what is the basis for your opinion? ś 60. Counsel for Carla requested to approach the bench when Bentley was questioned on the second statement and objected to the question. The trial court reconsidered the issue and remedied the first statement by sustaining the objection, in effect, by giving Carla the option of either instructing the jury to disregard the testimony or rebutting the testimony with another witness. Carla chose to rebut the testimony with testimony from Corbitt, her expert. Corbitt rebutted Bentley's testimony by stating that Preston did not have ample time and distance to avoid impact with the trailer. As for the second statement, the question and answer conformed to the proper limitation imposed by the trial court. Defense counsel phrased the question in terms of a reasonably prudent driver. This issue is without merit.