It is a bit of a misconception that cars are the safest place to be when lightning strikes. While that may be partly true, there are a few imperative safety precautions that you need to remember if and when lighting strikes and you happen to be behind the wheel.
The National Lightning Safety Institute suggests:
“Safely pulling off to the side of the road, waiting out the storm, turning off the engine, putting one’s hands in one’s lap and not touching inside items such as door and window handles, steering wheels and gear shifts. Heavy equipment such as bulldozers and backhoes with rollover canopies are safe during thunderstorms, but riding mowers and golf carts are not.”
While a car provides some protection from lightning because the metal frame directs lightning currents to the ground – vehicles can still be significantly damaged by a strike. The electrical system can be damaged due to a lightning strike.
“A fully-enclosed, all-metal vehicle is very safe, but don’t touch interior metallic areas on a vehicle,” says Richard Kithil, president of the National Lightning Safety Institute.
Whether you are at fault for an accident or not, you may be entitled to receive accident benefits from your own insurance company under the terms of your policy. Our lawyers at Lancaster Chown & Welch LLP can assist you with your application for no-fault benefits and, if necessary, represent you in any disputes you may have with your insurer.