Everything you need to know about lien-based care
How our network works, what it costs you, and how we coordinate with your attorney.
Q.Do I need health insurance to see a chiropractor through your network?
No. Network chiropractors commonly treat accident patients on a lien basis. Treatment is billed against the eventual settlement of your personal injury case — you pay nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket while your case is open.
Q.What is lien-based chiropractic treatment?
Lien-based treatment means the chiropractic clinic provides care now and signs a lien against the proceeds of your personal injury settlement. If your case settles, the clinic is paid from the settlement. You do not pay upfront and do not use health insurance.
Q.How quickly can I get a chiropractor appointment after my accident?
Same-day or next-morning appointments are the norm at our Northwest Side network clinics. Call (773) 322-1530 24/7 and we'll match you with a chiropractor near your neighborhood.
Q.What is the difference between chiropractic care and physical therapy?
Chiropractors focus primarily on spinal alignment, joint manipulation, and soft-tissue therapy. Physical therapists focus on movement, strength, and functional rehabilitation. Most accident recoveries benefit from both, working in parallel — we coordinate the full care plan.
Q.Do I need an attorney to access your network?
No. If you already have a personal injury attorney, we coordinate directly with them. If you don't have one, we can refer you to an independent attorney who handles cases like yours. The decision to retain an attorney is always yours.
Q.What areas of Chicago do you serve?
Primarily Chicago's Northwest Side — Norwood Park, Edison Park, Jefferson Park, Portage Park — plus Park Ridge, Harwood Heights, Niles, Rosemont, and the broader Chicago metropolitan area including Oak Park, Evanston, Skokie, and Schaumburg.
Q.How does Chicago Accident Network coordinate my care?
A single bilingual coordinator manages your entire case: scheduling appointments with chiropractors and PTs, arranging MRI and specialist referrals when needed, compiling records, preparing lien documentation, and keeping your attorney updated throughout treatment.
Q.Can I get physical therapy and chiropractic care at the same time?
Yes, and most accident recoveries do exactly that. We coordinate a combined schedule so chiropractic adjustments and PT sessions complement each other — typically chiropractic in the first few weeks, then layering in PT as range of motion returns.
Q.What injuries do chiropractors in your network treat?
Whiplash, neck and back strains, herniated discs, soft-tissue injuries, shoulder injuries, headaches following an accident, knee and hip injuries — the full range of musculoskeletal injuries typical of car accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, and workplace injuries.
Q.How is pain management different from chiropractic care?
Pain management is a separate medical discipline that can include interventional procedures (injections), medication strategies, and advanced imaging. We refer to independent pain management physicians when chiropractic and PT alone are not enough.
Q.What happens if my case takes a long time to settle?
Treatment continues on the lien through the duration of your case. Records and progress notes are compiled throughout. When your case eventually settles, your attorney handles the lien payoff to the providers as part of the settlement.
Q.Do you coordinate workers compensation cases?
Yes. We coordinate chiropractic and PT for Illinois workers' compensation patients, including handling the choice-of-physician paperwork and coordinating records with your workers' comp attorney.
Q.How does Chicago Accident Network communicate with my attorney?
By email, secure portal, and phone — whichever your attorney prefers. We send appointment confirmations, treatment plans, monthly progress updates, MRI reports as they come in, and final records and lien letters at the conclusion of treatment.
Q.Is there really no upfront cost?
Correct. There is no out-of-pocket cost from you for chiropractic, PT, or coordination services during your case. Providers are paid from the settlement at the end, through the lien arrangement handled by your attorney.
Q.Do you have Spanish-speaking coordinators?
Yes. Bilingual (English / Spanish) coordinators are available 24/7. Many of our network providers also have Spanish-speaking clinical staff.
Still have questions?
Call our 24/7 bilingual coordinator or send us a quick message.