A frightening lightning strike in Doral sent an off-duty Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy to the hospital after lightning reportedly struck his patrol vehicle during severe weather. The incident demonstrates that while an enclosed vehicle is generally one of the safest places to seek shelter during a thunderstorm, lightning can still cause serious injuries and extensive vehicle damage.
According to local news reports, the deputy was sitting inside his cruiser while working an off-duty assignment near the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue headquarters on Northwest 41st Street near 93rd Avenue when lightning struck the vehicle shortly before 5:15 p.m.
Paramedics transported the deputy as a trauma alert to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital. Authorities later reported that he was in stable condition.
The incident followed several other recent South Florida lightning strikes, including a charter captain reportedly struck near Islamorada and a fatal Margate incident involving a woman and her young daughter.
What Are the Chances of Being Struck by Lightning?
Lightning strikes are rare, but Florida’s frequent thunderstorms make lightning safety especially important.
The National Weather Service estimates the odds of being struck by lightning during any given year at approximately 1 in 1.22 million, with lifetime odds estimated at approximately 1 in 15,300. The NWS also reports that roughly 90% of people struck survive, although survivors may experience varying degrees of injury or disability.
Lightning injuries can include burns, cardiac arrest, neurological damage, hearing problems, muscle injuries, vision issues, and traumatic injuries caused by falls or sudden muscle contractions.
The National Weather Service advises that there is no safe place outdoors during a thunderstorm. A substantial building or fully enclosed, hard-topped vehicle generally provides significantly greater protection.
What Insurance Could Cover a Lightning Strike?
Several forms of insurance may potentially apply depending on the circumstances and policy language.
Comprehensive Auto Insurance: Lightning damage to a vehicle is generally covered under comprehensive, or “other than collision,” coverage. This may include electrical-system damage, fire damage, damaged electronics, or a total loss, subject to the policy deductible and limits.
PIP or Medical Payments Coverage: Florida PIP provides medical benefits for qualifying accidental bodily injuries involving covered motor vehicles. Whether a lightning-related injury while occupying a vehicle qualifies can depend on the facts and policy interpretation. Optional MedPay may also provide additional medical benefits when applicable.
Workers’ Compensation: When someone is injured while performing job-related duties, workers’ compensation may potentially cover medical treatment and other benefits if the injury arose out of and occurred within the course and scope of employment.
Contact the Perazzo Law Firm
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Disclaimer: This article is for general Miami accident lawyer informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, or insurance advice. Coverage depends on the facts, policy language, applicable law, and circumstances of each claim.
Incident information based on reporting by WSVN 7News.