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 CodesV44.5

V44.5

Billable

Car driver injured in collision with heavy transport vehicle or bus in traffic accident

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

Code Description

ICD-10 V44.5 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of car driver injured in collision with heavy transport vehicle or bus in traffic accident.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The ICD-10 code V44.5 is used to classify injuries sustained by a car driver involved in a traffic accident with a heavy transport vehicle or bus. This code captures the external cause of morbidity and mortality related to vehicular collisions, which are significant contributors to injury and death in public health. The code is particularly relevant in emergency medicine and trauma surgery settings, where rapid assessment and documentation of the cause of injury are critical for treatment and billing. Accurate coding of V44.5 requires detailed documentation of the circumstances surrounding the accident, including the type of vehicle involved, the nature of the collision, and any contributing factors such as weather conditions or driver behavior. This code is essential for understanding the epidemiology of traffic-related injuries and for implementing preventive measures in public health initiatives.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Need for precise documentation of the accident circumstances
  • Differentiation between types of vehicles involved
  • Potential for multiple external cause codes to be applicable
  • Variability in state reporting requirements for traffic accidents

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the accident details
  • Failure to capture all relevant external cause codes
  • Misclassification of vehicle types involved in the accident
  • Inconsistent reporting across different healthcare settings

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Emergency departments must document the mechanism of injury, vehicle types, and any contributing factors such as intoxication or weather conditions.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with trauma from a collision with a bus or heavy truck, often requiring immediate intervention.

Billing Considerations

Timely and accurate documentation is crucial for both patient care and legal considerations.

Trauma Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed trauma assessments must include the mechanism of injury, injury severity, and any surgical interventions performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Trauma cases involving significant injuries from high-impact collisions, often requiring surgical intervention.

Billing Considerations

Accurate coding is essential for trauma registries and quality improvement initiatives.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use V44.5 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, V44
  • 5 should be used in conjunction with codes that specify the nature of the injuries sustained
  • It is important to ensure that the external cause code is sequenced correctly in relation to the injury codes

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use V44.5 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

99284CPT Code

Emergency department visit, high severity

Clinical Scenario

Used for patients presenting with severe injuries from a traffic accident.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must support the severity of the visit and the complexity of care provided.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine specialists should ensure that all aspects of the patient's condition are 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, including traffic accidents. This specificity aids in better tracking and analysis of injury patterns and outcomes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of external causes of injuries, including traffic accidents. This specificity aids in better tracking and analysis of injury patterns and outcomes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement.

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 in the accident?

Documenting the type of vehicle is crucial for accurate coding and understanding the severity of injuries, as collisions with larger vehicles typically result in more severe outcomes.