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Happy New Year, DMV! A Fresh Start on the Region’s Most Treacherous Winter Roads
MALLOY LAW OFFICES, LLC
Winter’s Added Complexities Driving during snowy and icy conditions increases the risk, and the data supports this.
Happy New Year, everyone! Here’s to hoping 2026 brings smooth roads, clear skies, and safer driving for all of us navigating the DMV area. New Year, Same Roads (but With Extra Caution) As the calendar flips and we set our resolutions, one thing often doesn’t change: We’re still sharing challenging and sometimes dangerous roads. Winter in the DMV is a season when roads across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia become more treacherous. Ice, snow, and slick surfaces dramatically increase risk, and certain stretches have become overrepresented in crash reports. Let’s talk about a few of them. DMV’s Winter 'Hot Zones' One key danger area is Interstate 395 in D.C., especially the stretch from the 14th Street Bridge across the Southwest Freeway. According to WTOP traffic data, that 2-mile portion recorded nearly 1,700 crashes over a four-year span, more than any other single stretch in the region. This freeway already has limited shoulders and tight ramps, so when winter weather hits, there's little room for error, which means big trouble. I-66 in Virginia is another one to watch. Between Nutley Street and the Beltway, it’s reported as a frequent crash spot, with close to 862 collisions in the same WTOP analysis. Add icy conditions or reduced visibility, and the risk only increases! Another road that deserves extra respect in bad weather is Route 295 in D.C./Maryland, especially between Pennsylvania Avenue and Benning Road. Short ramps and tight turns are common trouble points.
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According to The Zebra, about 17% of all vehicle crashes happen in snowy conditions. From the Maryland perspective, around 24% of all weather-related traffic crashes happen on slushy, snowy, or icy pavement. In Virginia, recent winter storms triggered nearly 1,000 crashes in just a few days, according to the Virginia State Police.
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Malloy Monthly
Why is the DMV a high risk area? Bridges, overpasses, and ramps (common on highways like I-395 and I-66) freeze first. Tight exits and short merge lanes, like on Route 295, make it more difficult for drivers to react when something goes wrong. And narrow urban roads offer minimal margin for error when visibility drops or ice forms. Tips for Staying Safe (and Alive) This Winter Slow Down: Speed limits are designed for dry pavement. In snow, your stopping distance skyrockets. Check Your Ride: Make sure your tires, brakes, battery, and wipers are winter-ready. VDOT even recommends calling 511 or checking their app for road conditions before heading out. Leave Early: Give yourself extra time so you’re not rushing. Leave Extra Space: Tailgating in icy conditions is like asking for trouble. Be Strategic: Avoid the most hazardous stretches (such as I-395 or I-66) during storms if possible, or consider using alternative routes. Stay Alert: Use headlights, avoid sudden maneuvers, and respect that black ice often looks like just wet pavement. This year, let’s carry more than just our hopes for better days. Let’s bring awareness, patience, and a commitment to safer driving. The roads in the DMV may be “the same,” but our approach can change. Whether you’re commuting daily on I-66, crossing the 14th Street Bridge onto I-395, or navigating surface streets like New York Avenue, winter demands our respect.
Serving You In: Bethesda, MD Clinton, MD Alexandria, VA Baltimore, MD Washington, DC Wheaton, MD Frederick, MD Manassas, VA Ellicott City, MD Germantown, MD Herndon, VA
But it’s not just freeways! New York Avenue NE/South Capitol Street in D.C. come up repeatedly in traffic safety discussions. As part of the city’s “Vision Zero” efforts, officials noted that just 5% of streets account for 50% of all collisions.
Happy New Year!
July 2025
January 2026
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Motor Vehicle Accidents • Workers’ Compensation • Slip and Fall • Premises Liability • And More
3 Daily Habits That Will Transform Your 2026
Start every day strong. Many Americans fall into the same routines year after year, and most are dangerous for their overall well-being. They stay up too late, wake up to an alarm a few hours later, scramble to get ready, and jump in the car as soon as possible to get to work. Your morning routine sets the tone for your day. If you’re in a hurry every morning, you will feel rushed and exhausted. Give yourself ample time in the morning to take care of yourself and some simple chores. Make your bed, have a glass of water, take good care of your hygiene, eat something, and incorporate some movement into your mornings. It will be hard initially, but you’ll feel the benefits within a few weeks. Diet and exercise matter. This is probably not news to you, but we can’t downplay the importance of diet and exercise. Listen to your body; it will tell you what it needs. Many people fall into the trap
As we enter another new year, there’s no better time to adjust your daily habits to help you become the healthiest version of yourself mentally and physically. Here are three strategies you can incorporate into your New Year’s expectations and resolutions that will help ensure 2026 is your healthiest year yet!
of overeating without realizing it or starving themselves when they want to lose weight, but this won’t make them feel good. Eat when your body tells you to, stick to a healthy diet, and find time for exercise. You need to find ways to motivate yourself, especially when you want to stay in bed and stick to comfort foods. Your body will thank you. Drink more water. How much water do you drink each day? The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that men should drink about 15.5 cups of fluids daily and women should drink 11.5
cups. If you aren’t hitting these numbers, it’s time to adjust. Start and finish each day with a glass of water. Walk around with a refillable bottle. Staying hydrated will help your body function much better.
THE NEW LEGAL FRONTIER AI-Powered Attorney Matching and Social Media Risks
AI is reshaping everyday decisions, including how people choose a lawyer. Gone are the days of flipping through outdated directories or relying solely on a friend’s cousin’s recommendation. With today’s AI- powered tools, someone can describe their legal issue in plain language and instantly receive tailored suggestions on what type of attorney they need, what questions to ask, and what costs to expect. How AI Helps People Choose the Right Attorney One of the biggest advantages AI brings is clarity. Legal jargon can be intimidating, especially for people unfamiliar with the system. Now, anyone can type, “I was in a small car accident. What do I do?” and receive a breakdown of next steps, types of lawyers who can help, and even referrals based on location and experience. Some platforms analyze the user’s situation and match them with attorneys who specialize in exactly what they need. It doesn’t replace
human judgment, but it does eliminate a lot of guesswork. AI also helps level the playing field. People who once felt lost trying to navigate legal options can now make informed decisions quickly. They can compare attorneys, read summaries of their case success, or even get automated estimates before making a call. That confidence boosts the client-lawyer relationship before it even begins. Where Social Media Complicates Today’s Legal Battles While AI helps guide people toward the right lawyer, another digital force, social media, is making cases more challenging than ever. What people post online doesn’t just live on their feed anymore. It can be discovered, analyzed, and used as evidence, sometimes in ways they never expected. A single TikTok, Instagram story, or Facebook status can shift the tone of a case.
Opposing attorneys and insurers increasingly use AI
tools to scrape profiles, recover deleted posts, and analyze timelines. Suddenly, a harmless photo becomes an argument against an injury claim, or a frustrated tweet gets twisted into a motive for the claim. How Lawyers Are Becoming Digital Advisors Because private messages or old posts can become part of the puzzle, attorneys now advise clients to stop posting immediately once a legal issue arises. Ultimately, AI and social media are transforming the legal landscape in profound ways. They make finding help simpler, but they also demand caution! For more information on how social media can negatively impact your personal injury case, scan the QR code on this page!
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Motor Vehicle Accidents • Workers’ Compensation •
BRINGING HOME A NEW PET?
Quick Tips to Start Pet Life Right
Bringing home a new pet for the first time can be exciting and nerve-wracking. One moment, you might be thinking of quiet nights curled up on the couch with your new furry friend, and then suddenly catch yourself worrying whether your carpets and furniture will survive. That mix of feelings is perfectly normal, but preparation can help keep your stress levels down. Start by getting your house ready. Tuck away cords, move toxic houseplants, and set up an area with food and a bed. Puppies and kittens are like curious toddlers. They always seem to find the one thing you missed, so assume anything left out could be chewed, batted, or swallowed. Food is another early test. For dogs, real meat should be at the top of the list. Cats need the same, since grain-heavy diets don’t do them any good. Birds, reptiles, and other unusual pets have their own needs, so it’s worth doing a little homework before buying. Routine also makes life easier. Feed them at the same times, build in bathroom
breaks, and play regularly. Miss a walk, and your dog will remind you in no uncertain terms.
Socialization matters, too. If you have a puppy, try mixing up your walking routes. Exposing it to different streets with new sights, sounds, and smells stimulates it in a good way and reduces anxiety. Kittens should be given space to explore without being pushed. A rescue cat may take weeks before it relaxes, but patience usually wins. And don’t delay that first vet visit. Even if your pet looks fine, an early exam can catch problems and set you up with a vaccine schedule. Some clinics even discount first visits, especially for rescues. The first few weeks as a new pet owner can be messy. Shoes might get chewed, accidents happen, and sleep takes a hit. Over time, though, the rough edges fade into stories. Before long, the same animal that kept you on your toes will become one of the best parts of your household.
Take a Break
Jalapeño Popper Soup
Ingredients • 4 bacon slices, chopped into 1/2- inch pieces • 5–6 large jalapeño peppers, minced with stems and seeds removed • 1/2 small onion, chopped • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth • 1/2 tsp cumin • 1 1/2 tsp salt • 1 lb gold potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces • 8 oz full-fat cream cheese • 1 cup shredded fresh cheddar cheese • 2 tbsp lemon juice
Directions 1. Place a large heavy- bottomed pot over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, then remove to a plate. 2. Add jalapeños and
onion to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. Add garlic to the pot and sauté for 1 minute. 4. Stir in chicken broth, cumin, salt, and potatoes, and simmer for 20 minutes. 5. Place cream cheese in a mixing bowl and add 1 ladle of hot broth before mixing. 6. Add cream cheese mixture to the pot and stir. 7. Remove from heat and add cheddar cheese and lemon juice, stirring until the cheese melts. 8. Pour into serving bowls, topping with bacon and more shredded cheese.
BOOTS CANDLES CARNATION FURNACE
GARNET HOCKEY INSULATE JANUS
OPPOSITE RESOLUTION
SKATING SWEATER
Inspired by TheRecipeCritic.com
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• Slip and Fall • Premises Liability • And More
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MALLOY LAW OFFICES, LLC
7910 Woodmont Ave. #1250 Bethesda, MD 20814
(202) 933-7277 Malloy-Law.com
Inside This Issue
1
Driving Smart on the DMV’s Most Hazardous Winter Routes
2
Make 2026 Your Healthiest Year Yet
2
AI Takes the Guesswork Out of Choosing a Lawyer
3
A First-Timer’s Guide to Pet Prep
Jalapeño Popper Soup
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The Silent Danger of Black Ice
THE WINTER TRAP YOU CAN’T SEE UNDERSTANDING THE THREAT OF BLACK ICE
The Danger Behind Black Ice The main problem with black ice is the lack of traction. Whether you’re walking, biking, or driving, it’s incredibly easy to lose control because your shoes or tires can’t grip the slick surface. With regular snow or frost, you can at least see the danger coming. Black ice gives you no warning!
Black ice is one of winter’s sneakiest hazards, the kind that can turn a normal commute or a peaceful morning walk into a slip-and-slide adventure you definitely didn’t sign up for. Despite the name, black ice isn’t actually black. It’s clear, thin ice that forms when moisture freezes on pavement. Because it’s transparent, the dark road below shows through, making the ice nearly invisible. That’s why drivers often don’t realize they’re on black ice until their tires start to slide and their heart rate shoots up. It often forms at night or early in the morning when temperatures dip below freezing, especially on bridges and overpasses. Even if the rest of the road looks perfectly fine, those spots can hide thin layers of ice waiting to catch you off guard.
Know the high-risk zones. Bridges, ramps, shaded roads, and areas near bodies of water are prime spots for black ice. Approach them with extra caution. If you hit black ice, don’t panic. Ease off the accelerator. Keep your steering wheel straight. Avoid braking hard. Let your car glide until the tires regain traction. How to Stay Safe on Foot Walking on black ice can be just as treacherous. Take small steps, keep your center of gravity over your feet, and wear shoes with good traction. If you can, sprinkle sand or salt on walkways before they freeze. And remember: If the sidewalk looks suspiciously shiny, it’s probably not because someone polished it.
How to Stay Safe While Driving Slow down.
When temperatures hover near freezing, assume black ice is possible. Slowing down gives you more reaction time if your car starts to slide.
Avoid sudden movements. Quick braking, sharp turns, or rapid
acceleration can all make your vehicle lose traction. Smooth, steady movements help you maintain control.
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Motor Vehicle Accidents • Workers’ Compensation • Slip and Fall • Premises Liability • And More
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