"Heard a really loud boom and then the car died, lightning struck the antenna"

Yeah none of it will hold a charge but especially plastic

Inside handles on a lot of cars are metal, and so is most of the car. I've gone through training on this kind of thing, and the safest thing to do is stay in your car, not touch the sides, and call the police or fire department who has tools that can get you out safely.

Thats with powerlines not a lightning. Older cars may have metal handles but show me a car newer than a 1995 with metal handles inside. Just because its a chrome handle doesnt mean its metal. Mine is chrome but plastic

Chrome plate/galvanized right?

Chromium on plastic isnt a metal handle. My whole point is after the lighting strikes its ok to get out of the car yourself only thing you risk is maybe getting hit with a different bolt of lighting but the strike that hit the car isnt going to hurt you after the strike

And static shock isn't too powerful when the energy is spread all throughout the entire mass of the car.

Yeah im not too sure what kind of training biscuit has been through but you do not need a fireman or police officer with special tools to get out of a car thats been struck by lightning. But you should call them if you are in a car that has downed power lines on it.

It was mentioned during counselor training at the camp I work at, but I suppose the instructor could have mixed something up.

i know that you shouldn't get out of a car when there is a downed power line on it because as soon as you get out and put your foot on the ground your body acts as a conduit and starts grounding electricity since the rubber tires act as insulation so your fine as long as you're in the car but I've never heard of staying inside after it is struck by lighting. a car can't hold a charge. once its hit the car the energy dissipates. After a little research i found out that the national lightning safety institute actually recommends that you get out of the car and find safe shelter since staying inside a big mass of metal probably isn't the safest place to stay in during a lightening storm.

also I am aware that I mistakenly wrote your instead of you're and that i have a few other grammar errors in there but I don't care.