Criminal prosecution and civil liability are different. If the criminal conviction also includes restitution (pay for the damages) then there likely wouldn’t be a need for a civil suit, but it’s possible that the suit is to go after additional damages. For example, the criminal conviction might include $1000 in restitution to cover the property damage, but the civil suit might ask for money to cover lost revenue for the time the car was out of service.
how would this not be considered double jeopardy if they’re already being charged for the crime?
Criminal prosecution and civil liability are different. If the criminal conviction also includes restitution (pay for the damages) then there likely wouldn’t be a need for a civil suit, but it’s possible that the suit is to go after additional damages. For example, the criminal conviction might include $1000 in restitution to cover the property damage, but the civil suit might ask for money to cover lost revenue for the time the car was out of service.