Writing off a car accident driving doordash

Last year I was in a car accident while driving a rental car. I rented the car with the intention of using it to drive DoorDash, GrubHub and Uber eats, etc. When I was in the accident, I had not done any deliveries that day, but I had done them in the days prior. The guy that hit me didn’t have insurance, and my insurance did not cover all the damage. I am responsible for paying about $8000 in damages To the rental agency. I made my first payment to cover the damages to the car this year, and will have to continue paying for the next two years. I have not driven or earned any 1099 income since last year.

My question is, can I write off the damages? Do I write them off in the year The accident happened. Or do I write them off slowly As I make payments?