There are two ways a settlement can be paid after you win your case. A personal injury claim can be paid in periodic installments in the form of a structured settlement. The terms of a structured settlement can be customized to meet your needs but typically cannot be altered later. The other payment method for car accident settlements is a single lump sum payment. A successful settlement could win you a one-time payment. That’s why it’s so important not to settle if your first settlement offer is too low to cover the cost of your injuries.