What happens if your car gets struck by lightning?

Did you know that Florida – beautiful, sunny Florida – is actually the lightning capital of the United States? While we get our fair share of sunshine, we do see quite a bit of severe weather in the form of thunderstorms that bring dangerous lightning into the equation. This is especially true in Central Florida around the Orlando area – Geneva, which is east of Orlando, is the lightning strike capital of the state. Everyone who lives here or has resided here in the past knows just how dangerous our thunderstorms can be, and today we’re discussing a frightening question – what happens if your car gets struck by lightning?

What takes place when your car gets struck by lightning? Toyota of Orlando explains.

Here’s the good news – if you’re in your Orlando Toyota with the windows closed and the car gets struck by lightning, you’re more than likely going to be just fine. Remember, your car is a hard metal shell that deflects the electrical energy around you. However, the car itself doesn’t always fare so well in these situations. If your car gets struck by lightning, you’re likely to see effects like:

• A damaged electrical system and computer chips. Lightning can destroy computer chips (and prevent your car from running), melt and fry electrical systems, and break electronics inside of the car, like your sound system.
• Deployed airbags. Did you know that a lightning strike on your Orlando Toyota can literally deploy your airbags? If this happens, your car may be totaled depending on the rest of the damage to it.
• Damage to the paint, plastic, and glass on the exterior of the car. Lightning can scorch the paint, fuse the outside mirrors, break glass, and melt plastic, leaving the exterior of your Orlando Toyota a mess.
• Damage to the engine. Just like it can damage your electrical system, lightning can also destroy your car’s engine and prevent your car from running.
• Fire damage. Lightning can cause a fire in your vehicle when it hits the right components, which can be catastrophic.

What should you do if your car gets struck by lightning

• If you’re outside of the car, avoid touching it and immediately call your insurance company to report what happened and file a claim. Physical damage is easy to prove, but electrical and mechanical damage can be harder to tie to a lightning strike. If you have comprehensive coverage on your insurance policy, it should cover lightning strike damage.
• If you’re inside the car, immediately pull over and turn your hazards on. Turn your car off, but be careful not to touch anything metal that could still be conducting electricity from the strike. You can call for help, but you should sit still with your hands in your lap for at least 30 minutes before touching anything metal. Once you’ve safely exited, be sure to call your insurance company to make a report and start a claim.

Have more questions or need repairs after your car gets struck by lightning? Call Toyota of Orlando today. We’re open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 and we’re conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.