A GTA man is demanding to know why he’s being sued for thousands of dollars worth of damage to his vehicle, even though security video clearly shows a mover’s truck crashing into him two weeks ago.
The collision happened on June 17 as Matthew Pugsley was moving from Oshawa to an apartment in Etobicoke. Video from the apartment building’s surveillance cameras shows the large yellow truck that was parked next to his car slam into the side of his car, stop and then take off.
“I’ve tried calling the company and I’m getting absolutely no help,” Pugsley told CBC News.
“They are referring me to another company and no one will take responsibility for the incident. GetMovers Canada says it “cannot be held responsible” for the damage to Pugsley’s car because the truck in question belongs to a subcontractor.
Pugsley said he hired movers because he had an accident, was on crutches and couldn’t manage on his own. He said the move itself went smoothly, but after the movers left, the supervisor informed him that the building’s security cameras showed that they hit his car as they drove away.
WATCH | A security camera captures a moving truck slamming into the car before driving off:
The moving truck crashes into a parked car and drives away
Matthew Pugsley is looking for answers after a moving truck driver crashed into his car and drove off.
“I thought it was going to be a scratch or something on the side,” Pugsley said.
“[But] not only was the side mirror off, it was broken and there was metal from where the cover is next to the door that was actually torn. The lid latch was broken, the door that came down the side was all bent.”
He said he thinks the damage will cost about $10,000 and is waiting to see how much of that his insurance will cover.
Pugsley says he thinks the damage will cost about $10,000 to fix, and he’s not sure if his insurance will cover it. (Submitted by Matthew Pugsley)
Pugsley said that after calling GetMovers, he called the driver who actually did the work. He said the man told him he would pay for the damages if Pugsley sent him the video of him hitting his car.
“He said he wasn’t feeling it and he wanted to see the video and he didn’t want to go through insurance. [He] I wanted to pay it privately,” said Pugsley.
He said he sent the video to the driver but has not heard back.
“There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that he knew he hit me and then left the scene.
After taking the car to the collision center to report the accident, Pugsley said he had to provide the truck’s license plate number, which he did not have. He said the number is not visible on the video.
After days of emailing and calling the driver and GetMovers Canada to get a license plate number, Pugsley said he couldn’t get a response.
Pugsley says his car’s side mirror is completely broken and “smashed”. (Submitted by Matthew Pugsley)
In a statement to CBC News, GetMovers Canada said it is “cooperating with a customer on this matter,” adding that the affected truck does not belong to them, but to Northern Fleet Transport, a subcontractor.
The moving company said that in its terms and conditions, GetMovers Canada states that it may use subcontractors if necessary to complete a job.
“We have provided the customer with all information about the subcontractor, including contact numbers and details. As this is not our truck, we do not have the license plates of the vehicle involved in the incident,” the statement said.
“We will be happy to assist with any further investigation by the police or insurance if required. But we cannot be held responsible for the accident as it would be the responsibility of the truck driver and the subcontractor company involved in the accident.”
Toronto police confirmed to CBC News that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
In the meantime, Pugsley wants to warn others to be careful who they hire to help them move.
“Take pictures of the plates; make sure you know who’s coming; ask if it’s subcontracted.’
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