Do I need to deduct total loss of a car accident in the year of the accident (late 2017), or the year of the settlement (early 2018)?

[LisaBr]

Since you must reduce your deductible loss by the amount of reimbursement from the insurance company, you would report the casualty loss in the year of the settlement.

The following article may be helpful in understanding the Property Casualty Loss:

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/tax-relief/about-casualty-deduction-for-federal-income-tax/L8AV...