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 CodesV49.40

V49.40

Billable

Driver injured in collision with unspecified motor vehicles in traffic accident

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

Code Description

ICD-10 V49.40 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of driver injured in collision with unspecified motor vehicles in traffic accident.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The ICD-10 code V49.40 is used to classify injuries sustained by a driver involved in a traffic accident with unspecified motor vehicles. This code is essential for capturing the external cause of morbidity and mortality related to vehicular collisions. It encompasses a range of injuries that may occur during such incidents, including fractures, lacerations, and concussions. Accurate coding is crucial for public health data collection, insurance reimbursement, and understanding the epidemiology of traffic-related injuries. The code is particularly relevant in emergency medicine and trauma surgery settings, where timely and precise documentation of the circumstances surrounding an injury can influence treatment decisions and outcomes. It is important to note that this code should only be used when the specific type of motor vehicle involved in the collision is not identified, as more specific codes exist for known vehicle types.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Ambiguity in vehicle type can lead to misclassification.
  • Need for detailed documentation of the accident circumstances.
  • Variability in injury severity and types complicates coding.
  • Potential overlap with other external cause codes.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the accident details.
  • Failure to specify the type of vehicle involved.
  • Inconsistent coding practices among different coders.
  • Misuse of this code when more specific codes are available.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Emergency department notes must clearly document the mechanism of injury, including details of the collision and any immediate interventions.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with trauma from a traffic accident, including head injuries, fractures, and soft tissue injuries.

Billing Considerations

Coders should ensure that all relevant details are captured in the medical record to support the use of V49.40.

Trauma Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive trauma assessments and operative reports should include specifics about the accident and the nature of injuries sustained.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Trauma patients requiring surgical intervention due to injuries from a vehicular collision.

Billing Considerations

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

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use V49.40 When
  • According to the ICD
  • CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, external cause codes should be used to describe the cause of injury or health condition
  • 40 should be reported in conjunction with the appropriate injury codes to provide a complete picture of the patient's condition

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use V49.40 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

99283CPT Code

Emergency department visit, moderate severity

Clinical Scenario

Used for patients presenting with injuries from a traffic accident.

Documentation Requirements

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

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine providers should ensure that the reason for the visit aligns with the external cause code.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more detailed coding of external causes of injuries, improving data accuracy and specificity. V49.40 plays a crucial role in capturing data for traffic-related injuries where vehicle type is unspecified.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more detailed coding of external causes of injuries, improving data accuracy and specificity. V49.40 plays a crucial role in capturing data for traffic-related injuries where vehicle type is unspecified.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement and compliance with insurance requirements.

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

When should I use V49.40?

Use V49.40 when a driver is injured in a collision with an unspecified motor vehicle, and no specific vehicle type is documented in the medical record.