Car driver injured in collision w ped/anml in traf, sequela

This code indicates that a car driver sustained injuries in a traffic accident involving a pedestrian or an animal, and the current encounter is for the sequelae (late effects) of those injuries. It signifies that the initial acute injury has resolved, but the patient is still experiencing residual conditions directly attributable to the original accident.

Use this code when a patient, identified as the car driver, presents for treatment of chronic pain, disability, or other long-term complications stemming from a past collision with a pedestrian or animal. This code is appropriate for follow-up visits addressing conditions like post-traumatic arthritis, nerve damage, or psychological sequelae that developed after the initial injury.

• Always sequence this sequela code after the code(s) for the specific residual condition(s) being treated.
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to the past traffic accident involving a pedestrian or animal.
• Do not use this code for the initial acute injury or for subsequent encounters treating acute complications; those require acute injury codes.