ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesV43.21

V43.21

Billable

Person on outside of car injured in collision with sport utility vehicle in nontraffic accident

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 V43.21 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of person on outside of car injured in collision with sport utility vehicle in nontraffic accident.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The ICD-10 code V43.21 is used to classify injuries sustained by individuals who are outside of a vehicle and are involved in a collision with a sport utility vehicle (SUV) during a nontraffic accident. This code is particularly relevant in scenarios where the incident occurs in a private setting, such as a driveway or parking lot, rather than on public roads. The injuries can range from minor abrasions to severe trauma, depending on the speed of the vehicle and the nature of the impact. Accurate coding is essential for understanding the epidemiology of such incidents, which can inform public health initiatives aimed at reducing injuries related to vehicle collisions. Documentation must clearly indicate the circumstances of the accident, including the location and the involvement of the SUV, to support the use of this specific external cause code.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Determining the exact nature of the accident (nontraffic vs. traffic)
  • Identifying the specific vehicle type involved (SUV vs. other vehicles)
  • Documenting the location of the incident accurately
  • Differentiating between various external cause codes for similar injuries

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the accident's circumstances
  • Misclassification of the accident type (traffic vs. nontraffic)
  • Failure to specify the type of vehicle involved
  • Inconsistent coding practices among different coders

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Emergency department notes must include details of the incident, mechanism of injury, and any immediate interventions performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with lacerations, fractures, or contusions after being struck by an SUV while outside a vehicle.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of potential underlying medical conditions that may affect injury severity.

Trauma Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Trauma assessments should detail the mechanism of injury, injury severity scores, and surgical interventions if applicable.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients requiring surgical intervention for severe injuries sustained from a collision with an SUV.

Billing Considerations

Documentation must reflect the full extent of injuries and any complications arising from the accident.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use V43.21 When
  • Follow the official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the external cause code is reported in conjunction with the appropriate injury codes
  • The external cause code should be sequenced after the injury diagnosis code

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use V43.21 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

99283CPT Code

Emergency department visit, moderate severity

Clinical Scenario

Used when a patient presents to the emergency department with injuries from a nontraffic collision.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must support the level of service, including history, examination, and medical decision-making.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine specialists should ensure that the mechanism of injury is clearly documented.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of external causes of injuries, improving data accuracy and enabling better tracking of injury patterns related to nontraffic accidents.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of external causes of injuries, improving data accuracy and enabling better tracking of injury patterns related to nontraffic accidents.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of external causes of injuries, improving data accuracy and enabling better tracking of injury patterns related to nontraffic accidents.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the importance of documenting the type of vehicle involved?

Documenting the type of vehicle is crucial for accurate coding and understanding the nature of the injury, as different vehicles can cause varying levels of trauma.