By Jennifer Conrad, Managing Editor
Arizona was named the state with the third-highest intersection crash rate in the country. Every commuter has a complaint about Arizona drivers, but a recent study found more justification for that feeling. Arizona had more than four crashes in intersections per 100,000 residents—nearly 50% higher than the national average of 2.78. The study, conducted by Simmrin Law Group, analyzed intersection accident data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration between 2018 and 2022 and ranked states with the highest intersection accident rates.
Why are Arizona’s intersections so dangerous? Is it just the drivers, or is there something more at play? Whatever the cause, the risks are clear—and so is the need for help. The report also showed the state jumped from 265 intersection accidents in 2019 to 378 in 2022—its highest count in five years.
That’s why having a true advocate—like Valley Insurance Collision Experts (VICE)—can make all the difference. In a state were getting into an accident is less a matter of “if” and more a matter of “when,” VICE stands between you and a system designed to prioritize profits over people.
My Wake-Up Call: Why VICE Matters
Back in February, I was in a major car accident—the kind that leaves you shaken, your vehicle damaged, and your head spinning with questions. I was just 100 feet from my house, stopped in my car, waiting to make a left turn and yield to oncoming traffic. A Ford F-150 was stopped behind me. Suddenly, a young driver who was texting and not paying attention slammed into the truck at 45 miles per hour. The truck hit me from behind. Both vehicles were crushed from the collision. It was the kind of impact that could have ended much worse.
Despite the severity of the crash, my car sat untouched at a lot for nearly two months—stalled by back-and-forth delays with my insurance company. That’s when Shane and his team stepped in—calling, emailing, and advocating on my behalf every single day to get my repairs moving.
Thankfully, my attorney had recommended a local body shop I had never heard of before: Vice Collision.
From the moment I connected with Shane Looney, the co-founder of Vice Collision, I knew this wasn’t going to be your typical repair shop experience. Shane and his team didn’t just repair up my vehicle—they guided me through every step of the process. They answered my questions, dealt with the insurance company, provided a loaner car, and most importantly, they made me feel like I wasn’t going through it alone. That experience is why I knew Vice Collision had to be our Business Spotlight for June.
A Collision of Purpose and Passion
Shane Looney moved to the Valley in the early 2000s and partnered with Brian Hinton, a fellow industry veteran from Tucson. Together, they brought decades of experience in collision repair—not just as technicians, but as people who had seen every side of the business. And they saw something missing.
“We noticed that customers with attorney representation needed something different,” Shane shared during our podcast conversation. “The system wasn’t built for them. And often, they were getting lost in it.”
So, Shane and Brian set out to build something better. Vice Collision was born from the belief that a body shop should do more than fix dents and scratches. It should advocate for people in their most vulnerable moments.
The industry is ever-changing, and without proper guidance, it’s easy to end up with a poor repair or an unfair outcome. That’s why Shane and Brian decided from day one that Vice would lead with customer service. Being locally owned and operated, they saw firsthand the difference in how day-to-day operations run compared to large corporate collision shops.
VICE uses the newest industry-leading technology and tools for repairs, offers constant training for their technicians, and uses only the highest quality paint and materials—backing all their work with a lifetime warranty. From start to finish, the VICE Collision team is there to answer questions, handle insurance negotiations, and protect clients from getting lowballed or overlooked.
They Didn’t Just Fix My Car—They Fought for Me
That shop I first walked into? Turns out, it’s part of something much bigger: Valley Insurance Collision Experts—VICE for short. And VICE isn’t just an auto body shop—it’s a collision claim management company serving Arizona and Nevada, with locations in Phoenix, Gilbert, Tucson, and Las Vegas.
VICE takes over the hard part. From the moment the accident happens, they handle the paperwork, the claims, the repairs. So you can focus on healing.
They manage everything from collision insurance claims and total loss consulting to diminished value assessments and coordination with certified body shops. Whether you’re a driver or a personal injury attorney, VICE brings calm to the chaos.
My car may have been crushed, but thanks to VICE, I didn’t feel like I was.
What No One Tells You After an Accident
Walking into Vice Collision doesn’t feel like walking into a standard repair shop. There’s a calm professionalism to it—a sense that you’re being taken care of. From the first phone call, clients are assigned a dedicated service rep who handles everything: towing the vehicle, dealing with insurance, coordinating repairs, and keeping clients updated.
For me, it was Ivy who answered my late-night texts and fielded my endless questions. And it was Shane who reassured me when insurance complications delayed the process. They never passed me off to someone else. They stood by me.
“People think the insurance company is there to help them,” Shane told me. “But often, they’re looking out for their bottom line. We look out for you.”
Doing It Right, Every Time
VICE refuses to cut corners. They use OEM parts wherever possible, and their dealership network helps price-match to ensure insurance companies can’t lowball repairs with aftermarket parts.
The goal? To restore every vehicle to pre-accident condition—safely, properly, and backed with a lifetime warranty.
“We treat every car like it’s our own,” Shane said. “Because we know how much people rely on their vehicles to live their lives.”
From the Valley to Vegas: Growth Fueled by Trust
When VICE first opened three years ago, Shane and Brian were subletting their repairs. Their tiny Tempe office had just four employees. But word spread quickly. People talked about their experience, how they were treated, and the trust they felt. Today, VICE has locations in Phoenix, Tucson, Gilbert, Tolleson, and Las Vegas.
They recently opened a full-scale repair facility in Phoenix to bring everything in-house and maintain quality control. And they’re eyeing the Northwest Valley next.
“Growth is great,” Shane said. “But it’s only worth it if we keep doing things the right way.”
The Heart Behind the Hood
One thing that struck me during our conversation was Shane’s passion for educating clients. From understanding what insurance actually covers to explaining why you should always call an attorney after an accident, Shane believes informed customers are empowered customers.
“Most people don’t know what to do after a crash,” he said. “That’s when they need someone in their corner.”
Shane rattled off tips most people never think about until it’s too late: Have rental coverage. Add glass protection. Make sure you have uninsured motorist coverage. Get gap insurance if your car loan is more than the car’s value.
“We see people go through financial ruin after an accident that wasn’t even their fault,” he told me. “Just because they didn’t know what their policy really covered.”
More Than Mechanics—They’re Advocates
The dedication Shane, Brian, and their team put into every case shines through in the words of the people they’ve helped. Their commitment isn’t just talk—it’s proven every day in the relief and gratitude of their clients.
“Impressive customer service at V.I.C.E. They kept me informed throughout the repair process, making me feel at ease. The staff was knowledgeable, transparent, and ensured that my vehicle was taken care of promptly. Highly recommend them! Thank you again team for everything.”
— Jared Landrum
“Such an amazing organization truly. I had the pleasure of working with Kelly, such a wonderful person who did everything possible to make life after an accident less chaotic. Thank you so much to everyone at Valley Insurance Collision Experts.”
— Nicole N.
Stories like these aren’t rare—they’re the standard. “We’re not just fixing metal. We’re fixing people’s lives,” Shane said.
VICE didn’t just restore my vehicle—they restored my sense of control in a time when everything felt uncertain. And for that, they’ve earned more than my business. They’ve earned my trust.
In a state where intersection crashes are on the rise, Arizona drivers face real dangers every day. VICE isn’t just fixing cars—they’re helping drivers take back control, one repair, one claim, and one life at a time.
