Vertigo or dizziness has also been reported. The victim of lightning strike may have injury either directly from the lightning strike or from being thrown by the blast. Contusions and fractures may occur along with muscle and ligament tears. In rare cases, a compartment syndrome or swelling within section of an extremity may result from lightning damage requiring a surgical release to prevent further tissue destruction. Lightning Safety Avoidance and prevention are the best means of lightning safety.
Total avoidance is clearly impossible for storm chasers but risks can be minimized.
A good description is given by Dr. Charles Doswell III in his essay on chaser safety. Lighting has about a 50 yard search radius on the ground in an area that a strike will occur. It can strike as much as 10 miles from the rain of a thunderstorm and even when the storm appears to be dissipating. It usually seeks the tallest objects in that area. While chasing, the safest place to be is inside a vehicle with a solid metal top.