Injured Nurse Faces City Hall Bill After Getaway Car Crash
A Toronto woman who sustained a serious neck injury when her vehicle was struck by a jewelry store robbery getaway car received a $40,350.11 bill from the City of Toronto to replace a knocked-down pole, CP24.com reported. Nancy Buckman, 68, was driving her 2021 Subaru Forester near Fairview Mall in December 2024 when the collision occurred as she made a left turn on a yellow light.
The crash triggered a fire in her vehicle’s undercarriage, forcing a bystander to pull an unconscious Buckman to safety. While her insurance covered the totaled car and ongoing physiotherapy, City of Toronto Revenue Services mailed a ten-page invoice in late July demanding payment by August 22, threatening court action and license suspension for non-payment.
Insurance Rules Dictate At-Fault Determination
Buckman contacted the city to dispute the charge, but officials pointed to a police report that found her at fault for failing to yield to the speeding getaway vehicle. Anne Marie Thomas, director of consumer and industry relations at the Insurance Bureau of Canada, told CP24.com that insurers must follow strict provincial fault determination rules.
“When you look at the fault determination rules for accidents in the province of Ontario, she was making the left-hand turn, so ergo she’s considered to be at fault,” Thomas said, noting that insurers have little room to factor in extenuating criminal circumstances.
Following discussions, Buckman’s insurance company agreed to pay the city’s bill in full because of the at-fault ruling. Meanwhile, Toronto police stated that the suspects involved in the jewelry store robbery have not been charged.
Early Retirement Follows Months of Physical Pain
The collision forced Buckman to make major changes to her professional life after four decades in healthcare. She retired early on March 31 from her position as a full-time nurse clinician in the electrophysiology program at Toronto General Hospital, citing persistent neck discomfort that impacted her work.
“The neck discomfort, despite getting all kinds of ergonomic assessments at my desk and stuff, really affected my neck and my work,” Buckman told CP24.com. She has since returned to work one to two days per week.
City spokesperson Kayla Lewis stated that repair invoices are routinely sent to vehicle owners when municipal infrastructure is damaged, with the recommendation that residents forward the documents to their insurance providers. Buckman said she now waits “a lot longer than most people” before attempting a left-hand turn.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Toronto Collision Billing
Why was Nancy Buckman billed for the damaged pole?
The City of Toronto routinely sends repair invoices to vehicle owners when municipal infrastructure is damaged in a collision, directing owners to pass the bills to their insurance providers.
How much was the repair invoice sent by City of Toronto Revenue Services?
The itemized bill totaled $40,350.11 and covered the work and materials required to replace the pole knocked down during the December 2024 crash.
What were the professional consequences for Buckman following the crash?
Buckman sustained a serious neck injury requiring regular physiotherapy and retired early on March 31 from her 40-year career as a nurse clinician at Toronto General Hospital, though she later returned to work one to two days per week.
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