Victim of freak accident led on a wild-goose chase

Seems like things only started moving when the media are involved.

Tan Xing Qi| November 15, 01:22 PM

Editor's note: The victim has since clarified that Aviva helped her a great deal and it is now reflected in the article.

Seen this video on how a driver escaped being crushed by metal plates weighing 1 ton each?

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Here's the extent of the damage:

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Thankfully, the driver, Deng Ming Li, wasn't seriously injured. She suffered from bruises and lower back pain. The 31-year-old was driving along Punggol Road on her way to pick up her three-year-old son from childcare n on Nov. 11 when the accident happened.

She told The Straits Times that the fabric rope securing the planks looked very worn out.

You would think that was the end of her nightmare. But it wasn't.

Her husband, Ash Tong, told Mothership.sg that they were led to a wild-goose chase as EQ Insurance, the trailer's insurance firm, initially said that it wasn't paying for repairs and the loss of use of the car as the metal sheets weren't safely secured, rendering the insurance void.

It was reported in The Straits Times today that EQ Insurance is currently conducting an investigation into the case and will inform Deng in due course.

Luckily, the victim's insurance company - Aviva - stepped in to help.

Tong said that he tried to claim third party insurance from EQ Insurance but they were dragging their feet. Having no choice, they contacted Aviva.

He said: "If you claim your own insurance, the NCD (No-claim Discount) will be affected and I have to pay the excess. Thankfully, Aviva stepped up and said 'Do not worry.' and assured us of a replacement car."

He added that Aviva has assured them that there will not be any negative impact to their coverage in terms of NCD and excess.

The driver of the trailer, who appeared to be in his 20s and employed by Ag Teck Choon Logistics, also did not apologise.

And when the boss of Ag Teck Choon Logisitics arrived at the scene, he told Deng in mandarin: "This kind of thing no choice."

Deng told Mothership.sg: "The logistics firm didn't bother to call back despite us calling countless of times." She added that a number was given to them but they couldn't reach anyone.

"I'm not sure whether it was the wrong number or a fake one."

A spokesman of Ag Teck Choon Logistics told The Straits Times that the insurance firm needed time to process the claim.

 

All photos from Ash Tong.

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