Source: http://cabadvantage.com/articles/category/cases-from-bits/volume-21-cases-2018/volume-21-edition-2-cases/
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 00:43:12+00:00

Document:
DERRICK YAZZIE, Plaintiff, v. SETH FEZATTE, and WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC. Defendants.
Plaintiff Derrick Yazzie (Plaintiff) filed suit against Defendants Seth Fezatte and Werner Enterprises, Inc. (collectively, Defendants) seeking damages for personal injury he claims resulted from Defendants’ alleged negligence and negligence per se in the operation of a semi-tractor trailer which struck Plaintiff on Interstate 40 in New Mexico on November 22, 2013.1On September 11, 2017, Defendants filed a motion to exclude opinions of Plaintiff’s proposed transportation safety expert.2The motion has been fully briefed.3After careful consideration of the pertinent law, briefing and exhibits, the Court will grant in part Defendants’ Motion to exclude certain opinions of Shawn Wayne Miller, but will reserve ruling on Defendant’s Motion with regards to the admissibility of Mr. Miller’s opinions related to Defendant Fezatte’s training and adherence to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for operation of a commercial motor vehicle in certain weather conditions until a Daubert hearing is held. See Daubert v.Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993).
1 See PLAINTIFF’S FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT (Complaint) (Doc. 7).
2 See SETH FEZATTE AND WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.’S OPPOSED MOTION TO EXCLUDE SHAWN WAYNE MILLER’S [*2] PURPORTED “EXPERT” OPINIONS (Motion) (Doc. 68).
3 See PLAINTIFF’S RESPONSE IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT SETH FEZATTE AND WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.’S OPPOSED MOTION TO EXCLUDE SHAWN WAYNE MILLER’S EXPERT OPINIONS (Response) (Doc. 79); SETH FEZATTE AND WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.’S REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION TO EXCLUDE MILLER’S OPINIONS (Reply) (Doc. 84).
Carrier Safety Regulations or safety practices in the commercial trucking industry. Rather, Defendants argue that Mr. Miller should be precluded from testifying at trial because his opinions are irrelevant, lack foundation, are outside the realm of Mr. Miller’s expertise, or do not provide technical information that would be helpful to the trier of fact. Mot. at 1-2.
expert has reliably applied the principles and methods to the facts of the case.” Fed. R. Evid. 702. Rule 702 imposes [*4] an obligation on a district court to “ensure that any and all scientific testimony or evidence admitted is not only relevant, but reliable.” Daubert, 509 U.S. at 589. The United States Supreme Court has stated that “where such testimony’s factual basis, data, principles, methods, or their application are called sufficiently into question…the trial judge must determine whether the testimony has ‘a reliable basis in the knowledge and experience of [the relevant] discipline.'” Kumho Tire Co., Ltd. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137, 149 (1999) (quoting Daubert, 509 U.S. at 592). “The touchstone of admissibility under Rule 702 is the helpfulness of the evidence to the trier of fact.” U.S. v. Rangel-Arreola, 991 F.2d 1519, 1524 (10th Cir. 1993).
fatigue are speculative and lack foundation, and that relatedly Mr. Miller is unqualified to offer opinions on the circadian rhythm. Mot. at 7-10. Plaintiff concedes that Mr. Miller is not holding himself out as an expert on the science behind circadian rhythms, but argues that through Mr. Miller’s experience, training and education he has become knowledgeable about studies performed in the trucking industry regarding the effect disruption of circadian [*5] rhythm can have on a truck driver. Resp. at 6-7. Plaintiff further contends that Mr. Miller applied his expertise to the evidence in this case to arrive at the opinion that Defendant Fezatte was fatigued at the time of the accident. Resp. at 8-9.
to Mot. at 5 (Doc. 68-4). To highlight this statement, Mr. Miller includes a circadian rhythm chart and notes that “[s]tudies have shown it takes years for a body to readjust after a normal circadian rhythm is disrupted” particularly in the trucking industry. Id. at 6. Mr. Miller does not cite to any of these articles, nor does he explain the relevance of any such studies to the facts of this case, particularly absent evidence regarding Defendant Fezatte’s sleeping patterns immediately prior to the accident or, for example, evidence that Defendant Fezatte had been driving beyond the number of hours permitted by regulation or failed to take required breaks. When pressed to [*6] explain the foundation for his opinion that Defendant Fezatte was “under the effects of sleep deprivation,” Mr. Miller responded, “Well, he hit Derrick Yazzie. That’s quite a bit of proof right there.” Miller Dep., Ex. B to Mot. at 118:3-7 (Doc. 68-2). The Court disagrees, and finds that Mr. Miller’s opinions on Defendant Fezatte’s level of fatigue at the time of the accident lack proper foundation and are purely speculative. See Goebel v. Denver & Rio GrandeW. R.R. Co., 215 F.3d 1083, 1088 (10th Cir. 2000) (“It is axiomatic that an expert, no matter how good his credentials, is not permitted to speculate.”).
effects of driver fatigue, concluding that “[t]he effects of fatigue on attention, perception, decision making, and motivation are within the normal life experiences of the jury, and [the expert’s opinions were] not of the type of specialized knowledge contemplated by Rule 702”)). Because Mr. Miller’s fatigue opinions are speculative and do not constitute specialized knowledge that will assist the trier of fact under Rule 702, the Court will exclude these opinions. Mr. Miller’s related opinion that Defendant Fezatte would be enticed to run loads while fatigued to recoup out of pocket training costs will also be excluded. Miller Expert Opinion at 4 (Doc. 68-4); Miller Dep. 83:3-85:16 (Doc. 68-2). Mr. Miller provided no foundation for this opinion and it is purely speculative.
engaged in distracted driving. Specifically, Defendants argue that Mr. Miller’s reliance on Qualcomm4messages sent to Werner on November 22, 2013 around 7:24 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) and 10:59 p.m. MST as evidence of distracted driving should be excluded as irrelevant because [*8] they are distant in time from the accident. Mot. at 11. Defendants also claim that Mr. Miller’s opinion that a driver who witnesses another driver at some distance in front of him “swerve or take another type of evasive action” would naturally be more alert and follow suit is inadmissible because it does not constitute specialized knowledge. Mot. at 12. Plaintiff responds that the contested opinions are directly relevant to the cause of the accident and Defendant Fezatte’s alleged failure to take evasive action or see Plaintiff. Resp. at 9.
4Qualcomm is a truck-based networking system that allows communication between a driver and the trucking company. Fezatte Depo., Ex. G to Def. Mot. at 60:5-12 (Doc. 68-7).
support his opinion that Defendant Fezatte was distracted in the moments immediately preceding the accident were sent at 7:24 p.m. MST and 10:59 p.m. MST on November 21, 2013, seven hours and three and one half hours respectively before the accident occurred. See Miller Expert Opinion at 4 (Doc. 68-4). Plaintiff [*9] claims there is evidence that the logs are incorrect, referring both to Mr. Miller’s report and deposition in which Mr. Miller refers to Qualcomm messages sent and received during a four minute period while Defendant Fezatte was logged into the sleeper berth. Resp. at 9. But Plaintiff presents no evidence that the time stamps on the Qualcomm messages themselves are inaccurate. Proposed expert opinion testimony must still withstand the relevancy test under Federal Rule of Evidence 401. Because the Qualcomm messages at issue are so attenuated in time from the time of the accident, any opinion rendered about alleged distraction as a result of these messages is irrelevant and therefore inadmissible. Further, as with testimony regarding fatigue or alertness, the question of whether Defendant Fezatte was distracted or should have reacted a particular way to any observed defensive action taken by another driver ahead of him falls within the normal life experiences of the jury and does not constitute specialized knowledge. See Tom v. S.B. Inc., No. Civ. 10-1257 (D. N.M. Mar. 22, 2013) at *4. Mr. Miller’s opinions as to Defendant Fezatte’s alleged distracted driving are inadmissible.
refers to in his report as a “spike” in crashes involving Werner vehicles following an increase in the number of Werner power units, and the conclusion that this “spike” was the result of an inadequate safety management process. Mot. at 12-15; Miller Expert Opinion at 2 (Doc. 68-4).
Defendants claim Mr. Miller mischaracterizes the data and that the information is otherwise irrelevant. Mot. at 13. Plaintiff rejects these arguments. Resp. at 10-11.
The Court will exclude Mr. Miller’s opinions regarding the “spike” in crashes on the ground of lack of relevancy. The graph included in Mr. Miller’s report indicates an increase of nine reportable crashes between the months of April 2013 and June 2013. Miller Expert Opinion at 2 (Doc. 68-4). The accident at issue occurred in November 2013, at which time the number of reportable crashes was exactly the same as it was in April 2013 before the “spike” Mr. Miller references. Miller Expert Opinion at 2 (Doc. 68-2). An increase of nine reportable crashes in a three month period is not an appreciable [*11] increase. Regardless, the Court finds that even if the number of reported crashes in June 2013 could be considered an appreciable “spike,” this “spike” is too remote in time from the date of the accident to be relevant here. Because only relevant evidence is admissible, Fed. R. Evid. 402, the Court will exclude Mr. Miller’s testimony pertaining to a “spike” in crashes.
drug screen conducted on Defendant Fezatte in April of 2013, as well as opinions that a drug and alcohol screening should have been conducted under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations immediately after the accident. Mot. at 23-24. Plaintiff contends that the April 2013 drug screen was improperly administered and, combined with an anonymous report in Defendant Fezatte’s employee file that he had been using marijuana, is relevant to Defendant Fezatte’s qualifications and ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle. Resp. at 18. Plaintiff further asserts that a post-incident drug and alcohol test should have been performed in accordance with federal regulation. [*12] Resp. at 18-19.
Complaint and Incident Report, Ex. 6 to Resp. (Doc. 79-6). To form [*13] an opinion that Defendant Fezatte would have tested positive for drugs had the April 2013 test been properly administered, absent positive findings on other random drug tests performed, and based on an anonymous complaint for an alleged incident that occurred over a year prior to the accident is speculative and the Court will exclude that opinion. See Drug Tests, Ex.t 4 to Reply (Doc. 84-4).
involved bodily injury to a person requiring immediate medical attention away from the scene of the accident or, (2) one or more vehicles involved in the incident incurred disabling damage requiring the vehicle to be towed. See 49 C.F.R. § 382.303 (a)-(b). The parties do not dispute that the accident involved [*14] bodily injury to Plaintiff who had to be transported for medical treatment. Rather, the parties dispute whether Defendant Fezatte was issued a “citation,” thereby triggering mandatory post-incident drug and alcohol testing. Mr. Miller did not see a citation, but testified that there was reference in the Holbrook Police Report to a “fix-it ticket” for the broken headlight. Miller Dep., Ex. 2 to Resp. at 152:5-9 (Doc. 79-2). When pressed on the matter, Mr. Miller stated that he does not know whether Defendant Fezatte was cited, Miller Dep. at 152:13-16 (Doc. 79-2), and confirmed that absent a citation “there would be no requirement to have a test done,” Miller Dep., Ex. 1 to Reply, Miller Dep. at 164:5-9 (Doc. 84-1). The Holbrook Police Report indicates that Officer Koon “issued Seth [Fezatte] his written equipment repair order” rather than a citation. See Holbrook Police Report, Ex. 6 to Def. Mot. for Summ. J., at 4 (Doc. 69-6). Absent evidence that Defendant Fezatte was issued a citation, Mr. Miller will not be allowed to testify that Defendant Werner violated a federal regulation by failing to administer a post-accident drug and controlled substances test.
police report, to offer opinions regarding how the accident occurred including characterizing it as “hit-and-run where Defendant Fezatte knowingly left the scene of an accident.” Resp. at 16-18. Defendants in turn argue that Mr. Miller’s opinions about how the accident occurred are not based on expertise and should be excluded. Mot. at 19.
United States v. Toledo, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals made it clear that “[t]he credibility of witnesses is generally not an appropriate subject for expert testimony.” 985 F.2d 1462, 1470 (10th Cir. 1993). There are several reasons for this prohibition, including that expert testimony on witness credibility “usurps a critical function of the jury,” and “is not helpful to the jury, which can make its own determination of credibility.” Id. It is the jury, and not Mr. Miller, who will review the evidence, assess witness credibility, and reach a conclusion about what occurred in the early morning hours of November 22, 2013. The Court will exclude Mr. Miller’s opinions about how the accident occurred as well as any credibility determination as to Defendant Fezatte.
Defendants owed a duty to Plaintiff.
Miller Expert Opinion at 3-4 (Doc. 68-4). Defendants argue that Mr. Miller’s opinions are speculative, irrelevant, based only on “common sense” and do not involve any specialized knowledge. Mot. at 16. Plaintiff in turn contends that Mr. Miller relied on his knowledge, skill, experience, training and education to proffer his opinions regarding Defendant Fezatte’s training, and that such information is relevant to Defendant Fezatte’s ability to operate a commercial vehicle. Resp. at 13-16.
Mr. Miller also opined that Defendant Fezatte violated 49 C.F.R. § 392.14 related to actions a commercial truck driver must take in hazardous conditions. See Miller Expert Opinion at 6 (Doc. 68-4). Defendants [*18] state that Mr. Miller’s opinions regarding this issue are misleading and based on mischaracterization of Defendant Fezatte’s testimony. Mot. at 24-25. Plaintiff contends that Mr. Miller relied on Defendant Fezatte’s sworn deposition statements regarding weather conditions in conjunction with expertise in federal regulation to formulate his opinion that Defendant Fezatte failed to adhere to the regulation. Resp. at 13-16.
The Court will reserve ruling on the admissibility of Mr. Miller’s opinions related to Defendant Fezatte’s driver training and the appropriateness of Defendant Fezatte’s actions for the weather conditions at the time of the accident in relation to industry standard and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations until a Daubert Hearing is held.
1 Throughout this case, the parties have disagreed as to whether Pastukov’s application was received by National Shipping’s agent, PDL Broker, Inc. (“PDL”), on May 13, 2015 or May 14, 2015. For purposes of this motion, Atlantic is not disputing Pastukov’s contention that National Shipping sent his application to PDL on May 13, 2015. (Doc. 53 at 7).
2 The parties disagree as to what constitutes the “COI” in this case. (Doc. 55 at 5). Atlantic contends that it is a thirty-page document (Doc. 46-1 at 128-157). Pastukov refers to only the first of those 30 pages as the COI, with the remaining 29 pages constituting what Pastukov calls the “Master Policy”. (Doc. 46 at 20). Neither party contends that this issue will affect the outcome of this case; it may be that Atlantic has simply incorporated the policy and the COI into a single document. But for the sake of consistency, the Court must settle on one, and the Court adopts Atlantic’s terminology. It is true that the single page Pastukov points to as the COI (Doc. 46-1 at 128) is titled “Certificate of Insurance.” And the pages identified by Pastukov as a separate policy (Doc. 46-1 at 129-57) include information one would expect to find in such a document, such as eligibility and premium information. But the first two pages of what Pastukov identifies as the Master Policy are also titled “Certificate of Insurance.” (Doc. 46-1 at 129, 130). And the single page Pastukov identifies as the COI directs the reader to “[s]ee the attached Schedule of Benefits and Certificate of Insurance” for information about coverage. (Doc. 46-1 at 128). Finally, the “General Definitions” section of what Pastukov refers to as a separate policy defines the word “Policy” as “the Occupational Accident Insurance Policy upon which this Certificate is based.” (Doc. 146-1 at 152). Accordingly, it seems that the 30 pages at issue were intended to constitute a single COI, and the Court will refer to it as such in this opinion.
3 It is undisputed that Pastukov was not an Owner-Operator. (Doc. 55 at 5 n. 2). To qualify as a Contract Driver, the COI specifies that the individual must, inter alia, “be authorized by an Owner-Operator to operate a power unit owned or leased by an Owner-Operator.” (Doc. 46-1 at 131). During the relevant time period, Pastukov was driving for National Shipping. Owner-Operators are required to “have a valid Commercial Driver’s License or the required license for the vehicle they are assigned to operate” (Doc. 46-1 at 131) — a requirement that National Shipping could not satisfy. Because National Shipping could not meet the requirements to be an Owner-Operator, Pastukov did not meet the requirements to be a Contract Driver.
4 Pastukov also did not raise these issues in the parties’ Joint Pretrial Statement (Doc. 65).
5 Florida law recognizes a narrow exception to this general rule. Promissory estoppel may be used to create insurance coverage where a refusal to do so would sanction fraud or other injustice. McBride, 517 So. 2d at 662. There are no facts in evidence that would support application of this exception here, and Pastukov has not argued that it applies.
1 Because the Motions and related documents are identical in both cases, the Court will omit reference to the ECF filing numbers in Case No. 8:12cv307. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to the record before the Court will be to filings in Case No. 8:11cv401.
2 Specifically, Plaintiffs state that the Court made the following errors: (1) the Court’s pretrial summary judgment rulings set forth an erroneous legal standard regarding Plaintiffs’ sleeper berth claims; (2) the Court failed to enter an order stating that sleeper berth time in excess of 8 hours per day is compensable, or presumptively compensable, as a matter of law and should have ordered a new trial to resolve whether Werner paid Plaintiffs a minimum wage; (3) the Court’s rulings and instructions during the trial were based on the Court’s erroneous pretrial rulings on Plaintiffs’ sleeper berth claims; (4) the Court erroneously required Plaintiffs to prove that they were continuously on duty during time logged in the sleeper berth; (5) the Court’s motions in limine were based on the Court’s erroneous pretrial rulings on Plaintiffs’ sleeper berth claims; (6) the Court failed to give jury instructions Plaintiffs requested regarding its sleeper berth claims; (7) the Court adopted Werner’s proposed instructions that were based on an incorrect legal standard with respect to the sleeper berth claims; and (8) the jury instructions contained inaccurate statements of the law regarding the sleeper berth claims. See Motion for Partial Judgment/New Trial, ECF No. 551.
3 Werner argues that Plaintiffs have waived these arguments by not specifically addressing them at trial.
4 Plaintiffs originally sought $201,465.75, but revised the request downward in their Reply Brief. See ECF No. 565, Page ID 56701.
5 Although Farrar is not a FLSA case, the Eighth Circuit has stated that “[d]ecisions construing this term in the civil rights fee-award statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1988, ‘are generally applicable in all cases in which Congress has authorized an award of fees to a prevailing party.'” Warner, 134 F.3d at 1336 (quoting Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424, 433 n.7, 103 S. Ct. 1933, 76 L. Ed. 2d 40 (1983)).
6 Although not expressly discussed, in determining the reasonable rate the Court has considered the factors outlined in Johnson v Georgia Highway Express, Inc., 488 F.2d 714, 717-19 (5th Cir 1974). See McDonald v Armontrout, 860 F.2d 1456, 1459 (8th Cir 1988). The factors include: (1) the time and labor required; (2) the novelty and difficulty of the question; (3) the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly; (4) the preclusion of other employment by the attorney due to acceptance of the case; (5) the customary fee; (6) whether the fee is fixed or contingent; (7) time limitations imposed by the client or the circumstances; (8) the amount involved and the results obtained; (9) the experience, reputation, and ability of the attorney; (10) the “undesirability” of the case; (11) the nature and length of the professional relationship with the client; and (12) awards in similar cases. McDonald, 860 F.2d at 1459 n.4.
7 See also, e.g., Argenyi, No. 8:09CV341, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 63726, at *7-8 (concluding that the requested hourly rate of one out-of-town attorney should be reduced from $300 to $250 based on the attorney’s limited experience (7 years)); Bowen v. Allied Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., No. 4:11CV3163, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 33174, at *5 (D. Neb. Mar. 11, 2013) (concluding that amounts $275, $210, and $175 were found to be reasonable rates for attorneys of varying experience, with the associates receiving less); Johnson v. United of Omaha Life Ins. Co., No. 8:11CV296, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 185375 (D. Neb. July 5, 2013) (holding that rates of $340 and $350 an hour were reasonable for attorneys with 30 years of experience or specialized expertise); Doe v. Neb. State Patrol, No. 8:09cv456, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 181029, at *22-24 (D. Neb. Dec. 21, 2012) (collecting cases to conclude that fees between $200 to $300 to be a reasonable market rate in Nebraska); United States v. $104,160.00 in U.S. Currency, No. 8:08CV463, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 106968, at *2 (D. Neb. Nov. 17, 2009) (holding that $200 hourly rate for experienced Omaha attorney representing claimant in civil forfeiture action was reasonable in this locality); Sheriff v. Midwest Health Partners, P.C., No. 8:07CV475, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 91786, at 10 (D. Neb. Sep. 16, 2009) (concluding that in Title VII action, Omaha attorneys’ hourly rates of between $200 and $300 appeared consistent with hourly rates in relevant market based on evidence in record).
8 The Fee Itemization Worksheet appears at ECF No. 556-1, Page ID 56206-18. The table contains nearly 1,000 entries, written in 4.5 font. To properly analyze the requested entries, the Court exported the Fee Itemization to a separate, workable spreadsheet. Although the workable spreadsheet contained the same data, the Court was unable to reconstruct the page numbering in the document. Accordingly, citations to the Fee Itemization will omit page numbering.
FIRST GUARD INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff, v. BLOOM SERVICES, INC., JASON FOSTER, JOSEPH W. HALLMAN and ARTISAN & TRUCKERS CASUALTY COMPANY, Defendants.
Pending before the Court is a Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Plaintiff First Guard Insurance Company (“First Guard”) (ECF No. 33). For the reasons explained below, the Court will grant First Guard’s Motion for Summary Judgment.
The Court has subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332. Venue is proper because a substantial portion of the events giving rise to the case occurred in the Western District of Pennsylvania. 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b).
This dispute concerns whether Plaintiff First Guard has duties to defend and indemnify a trucking company and its driver who was involved in a motor vehicle accident. The Court [*2] will first summarize the course of the litigation before evaluating the relevant facts.
First Guard filed its Motion for Summary Judgment on December 11, 2017. (ECF No. 33.) Pursuant to this Court’s Practices and Procedures, Foster and Bloom Services had 30 days to respond. (See “Practices and Procedures or Judge Kim R. Gibson” at 2.) However, neither Foster nor Bloom Services filed a response to First Guard’s Motion for Summary Judgment.
“Summary judgment is appropriate only where . . . there is no genuine issue as to any material fact . . . and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of [*4] law.” Melrose, Inc. v. Pittsburgh, 613 F.3d 380, 387 (3d Cir. 2010) (quoting Ruehl v. Viacom, Inc., 500 F.3d 375, 380 n.6 (3d Cir. 2007)); see also Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986); Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). Issues of fact are genuine “if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.” Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986); see also McGreevy v. Stroup, 413 F.3d 359, 363 (3d Cir. 2005). Material facts are those that will affect the outcome of the trial under governing law. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248. The Court’s role is “not to weigh the evidence or to determine the truth of the matter, but only to determine whether the evidence of record is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.” Am. Eagle Outfitters v. Lyle & Scott Ltd., 584 F.3d 575, 581 (3d Cir. 2009). “In making this determination, ‘a court must view the facts in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and draw all inferences in that party’s favor — Farrell v. Planters Lifesavers Co., 206 F.3d 271, 278 (3d Cir. 2000) (quoting Armbruster v. Unisys Corp., 32 F.3d 768, 777 (3d Cir. 1994)).
The moving party bears the initial responsibility of stating the basis for its motion and identifying those portions of the record that demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323. If the moving party meets this burden, the party opposing summary judgment “may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials” of the pleading, but “must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.” Saldana v. Kmart Corp., 260 F.3d 228, 232 (3d Cir. 2001) (quoting Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587 n.11 (1986)). “For an issue to be genuine, the nonmovant needs to supply more than a scintilla of evidence in support of its [*5] position—there must be sufficient evidence (not mere allegations) for a reasonable jury to find for the nonmovant.” Coolspring Stone Supply v. Am. States Life Ins. Co., 10 F.3d 144, 148 (3d Cir. 1993); see also Podobnik v. U.S. Postal Serv., 409 F.3d 584, 594 (3d Cir. 2005) (noting that a party opposing summary judgment “must present more than just bare assertions, conclusory allegations or suspicions to show the existence of a genuine issue”) (internal quotation marks omitted).
(3) grant summary judgment if the motion and supporting materials — including the facts considered undisputed—show that the movant is entitled to it ….
Local Rule 56(E) provides . . . [that] the uncontroverted content of the movant’s statement of material fact is deemed admitted and carries conclusive weight for the purposes of summary judgment motions.” Wylie v. TransUnion, LLC, No. 3:16-CV-102, 2017 WL 4386404, at *3 (W.D. Pa. Sept. 29, 2017) (Gibson, J.); see Westfield Ins. v. Detroit Diesel Corp., No. 3:10-CV-100, 2012 WL 1611311, at *1 (W.D. Pa. May 8, 2012) (deeming facts in moving party’s [*7] concise statement of material facts admitted when opposing party failed to file a responsive concise statement of material facts); see also Kitko v. Young, No. CIV.A. 3:10-189, 2013 WL 5308016, at *1 (MD. Pa. Sept. 20, 2013) (Gibson, J.) (holding that “[f]acts insufficiently denied and not otherwise controverted, however, have been deemed admitted per Local Civil Rule of Court (“Local Rule”) 56E.”).
As noted above, Defendants Foster and Bloom Services never filed responsive concise statements of material facts to First Guard’s Concise Statement of Material Facts. In accordance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(e) and Local Civil Rule of Court 56.E, the Court will deem all facts contained in First Guard’s Concise Statement of Material Facts (ECF No. 35) admitted.
Having deemed the uncontroverted facts contained in First Guard’s Concise Statement of Material Facts admitted, the Court will next determine whether the First Guard has shown that it is entitled to summary judgment.
Before evaluating the merits of the First Guard’s Motion for Summary Judgment, the Court will review the facts that the Court deems admitted due to Defendants Foster’s and Bloom Services’ failures to respond to the [*8] First Guard’s Concise Statement of Material Facts. The following facts are derived from First Guard’s Concise Statement of Material Facts (ECF No. 35) unless otherwise noted.
In Pennsylvania, “the question of whether a contract is ambiguous is a question of law.” Kripp v. Kripp, 578 Pa. 82, 91, 849 A.2d 1159, 1164 (2004) (citing Easton v. Washington County Ins., Co., 391 Pa. 28, 137 A.2d 332 (1957)); see Ankerstjerne v. Schlurnberger, Ltd., 155 F. App’x 48, 49-50 (3d Cir. 2005) (citing St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co, v. Lewis, 935 F.2d 1428, 1431 (3d Cir. 1991)).
Under Pennsylvania law, the purpose of interpreting an insurance contract “is to ascertain the intent of the parties as manifested by the terms used in the written insurance policy.” 401 Fourth St., Inc. v. Inv’rs Ins. Grp., 583 Pa. 445, 454-55, 879 A.2d 166, 171 (2005) (citing Gene & Harvey Builders, Inc. v. Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association Ins. Co., 512 Pa. 420, 517 A.2d 910, 913 (1986)).
“When the language of the policy is clear and unambiguous, a court is required to give effect to that language.” 401 Fourth St., 583 Pa. at 455 (citing Gene & Harvey, 517 A.2d at 913); Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co. v. CPB Int’l, Inc., 562 F.3d 591, 595 (3d Cir. 2009) (quoting Donegal Mut. Ins. Co. v. Baurnhammers, 595 Pa. 147, 155, 938 A.2d 286, 290 (2007)); McMillen Eng’g, Inc. v. Travelers Indem. Co., 744 F. Supp. 2d 416, 424 (W.D. Pa. 2010) (internal citations omitted).
In light of these uncontested facts, no [*11] reasonable jury could conclude that Foster’s vehicle was covered by the Policy when Foster was involved in the accident with Hallman. Because Foster’s vehicle was not covered by the Policy at the time of the accident as a matter of law, First Guard has no duty to defend or indemnify Foster or Bloom Services under the clear and unambiguous language of the Policy. Therefore, First Guard is entitled to summary judgment and the declaratory relief it seeks.
As explained above, the Court will grant summary judgment in favor of First Guard and enter the following declarations: (1) First Guard has no duty to defend or indemnify Jason Foster with respect to any claims arising from his collision with Joseph Hallman, d (2) First Guard has no duty to defend or indemnify Bloom Services with respect to any claims arising from Foster’s collision with Hallman.
With respect to Count 2, First Guard has no duty to defend or indemnify Bloom Services with respect to any claims arising from Foster’s collision with Hallman.
The Court directs the Clerk to close the case.

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