Slip and fall accidents are possible in any store in Georgia. However, places like Pep Boys can be especially hazardous if employees are not careful enough to notice and clean up potentially dangerous conditions on the property. When this causes an injury accident, the company may be legally responsible. If you were injured in a Pep Boys, you’ll want to talk to a Pep Boys slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia right away.
At John Foy & Associates, we know how to build a strong case for you after a slip and fall accident. Companies like Pep Boys and their insurance companies are often quick to go on the defensive after a slip and fall accident, but we’re not afraid to fight for your rights. We’ve been doing this for more than 20 years.
Contact us today and we’ll give you a FREE, no-risk consultation to talk through the details. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today to get started with your FREE consultation.
What to Know About Pep Boys in Georgia
Pep Boys is an automotive aftermarket retail and repair company. They were founded in 1921 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which is where they are headquartered. Pep Boys provides automotive repairs and maintenance services, name brand tires, auto parts delivery, and other services throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
There are many Pep Boys locations throughout Georgia, including in the cities of Atlanta, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Roswell, and Sandy Springs.
If you were hurt in a Pep Boys store in Georgia, you might have a legal case to seek compensation. If you can show that the store was negligent in your accident, they may be legally liable. An experienced slip and fall lawyer can help you build a strong case to seek recovery for your damages.
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Four Elements of a Slip and Fall Accident Case in Georgia
For a slip and fall case against Pep Boys to be valid, certain elements must exist. Here’s what you will need to show to prove negligence and have a valid claim.
1. The Pep Boys Store Owed a Duty of Care
First, you’ll need to show that the store owed you a duty of care. In Georgia, all property owners and occupiers have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care and maintain safe premises for customers. That includes cleaning up any hazards and recognizing any dangerous conditions that need to be cleaned up or fixed.
If you were legally on their property, the owner, management, and employees of Pep Boys owed you that duty of care.
2. The Duty of Care Was Breached
After showing that a duty of care was owed, you’ll need to demonstrate that the duty was breached. For example, if a Pep Boys employee was mopping the floors but failed to put out a “wet floor” sign, that could be a breach of their duty to exercise care. They created a hazard but failed to warn customers about it.
Another example could be you seeing spilled oil on the floor of the shop and telling an employee about it. Even though the employee was made aware, you still see the oil spill on the floor two hours later. Employees should have had plenty of time to clean up the hazard within that time, so failing to do so would be a breach of their legal duty.
3. The Store’s Breached Duty Caused Your Accident
Besides showing that the store breached their legal duty, you’ll need to show that the breached duty directly caused your accident. In other words, you wouldn’t have slipped and fallen if the hazard had been fixed or cleaned up.
You will also need to show that the hazard couldn’t have been avoided simply by being careful. Under Georgia Code § 51-11-7, an injury victim might not be entitled to recover damages if they could have avoided the accident through ordinary care. This might be hard to show, so you’ll want to seek the services of an experienced slip and fall lawyer.
4. You Have Damages Resulting from the Accident
Lastly, your slip and fall case will need to show that the damages you’re claiming directly resulted from your slip and fall accident. If you hadn’t fallen, you wouldn’t have the medical costs, lost wages, and other damages that you now face.
Each of these elements is a vital part of a personal injury case in Georgia. You will need to gather strong evidence to demonstrate each. Plus, Pep Boys and their insurance companies may look for ways to undermine your case so they don’t have to pay you.
To protect your legal rights, it’s best to contact a slip and fall lawyer right away who can get started on helping you build your case. To get help from one of our experienced and compassionate lawyers at John Foy & Associates today, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Possible Hazards in Pep Boys Stores in Georgia
Unattended situations in stores like Pep Boys can become dangerous quickly, which is why management and employees should be diligent to avoid the creation or persistence of hazardous conditions.
Possible hazards that can occur at a Pep Boys shop include:
- Wet or slippery floors from grease, oil, spilled drinks, leaks, or an employee mopping (without a warning sign)
- Auto equipment or merchandise that have fallen or were left on the floors or in the aisles
- Uneven flooring or torn, curled up, or frayed rugs or carpeting
- Poor or inadequate lighting that makes it hard for customers to see hazards or steps
These are just a few examples. If you were injured in a different way at a Pep Boys location, it doesn’t mean you don’t have a case. If your situation contains the four elements above and the store’s actions led to your accident, you likely do have a case.
To seek compensation, you can file a personal injury claim with Pep Boys’ insurance company. The insurance company will likely try to reduce how much they have to pay you on the claim, so your lawyer will work to negotiate with them and get you a fair settlement. If that is unsuccessful, you may decide to take Pep Boys to court—where your lawyer will represent you every step of the way.
Talk to a Pep Boys Slip and Fall Accident and Injury Lawyer in Georgia for Free Today
If you were hurt in a Pep Boys store, contact John Foy & Associates today for help. We have 20 plus years of experience, and we don’t charge a fee unless we win you money. Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get your FREE consultation today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
