Indianapolis-based Trial Lawyer focused on semi-truck crashes, automobile accidents, traumatic brain injuries, and nursing home negligence.

About

Daniel J. Buba has represented personal injury clients since 1994. He has built a reputation as a trusted advocate in both local and national legal communities, with a practice centered on complex trucking and catastrophic injury cases. His leadership in professional associations, frequent seminar presentations, and authored works reflect deep subject-matter expertise and a commitment to elevating standards in plaintiff litigation.

Primary Focus

Semi-truck and commercial motor vehicle crashes
Automobile accidents
Traumatic brain injury litigation
Nursing home negligence

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Indiana (1994); U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana (1994); U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit (1995).

Education

J.D., with Honors, Chicago-Kent College of Law (1994)
Indiana University Maurer School of Law (attended)
B.A., Siena Heights University (1988)

Board Certification

Board Certified in Truck Accident Law (since 2019).

Professional Leadership & Service

Parliamentarian, Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (2024–2025)
Co-Chair, ATAA Legal Education Committee (2023–2024)
Board of Regents, Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (2015–Present)
Board of Directors & Executive Board, Brain Injury Association of Indiana (2014–Present)
Board of Directors, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association (2014–Present)
Board of Directors, AAJ Trucking Litigation Group (2007–Present); Chair (2012–2013); Chair-Elect (2011–2012); Secretary (2010–2011); Treasurer (2009–2010); Special Projects Chair (2008); Co-Chair Chicago Seminar (2008)
Indianapolis Bar Association: President (2008); Immediate Past President (2009); President-Elect (2007); First Vice President (2006); Secretary (2005); Board of Managers (2002–2003); Legislative Liaison Committee (2006); Chair, Lawyer Referral Service (2002–2003)
Indianapolis Bar Foundation: Board of Directors (2004–2005); Chair, Grants Committee (2005); Distinguished Fellow (inducted 2001)
Co-Chair, IBA Bench-Bar Conference (2001)
Member, Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (2009)

Honors & Recognition

Selected to Indiana Super Lawyers
Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation (Indianapolis)
College of Fellows, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association
Distinguished Fellow, Indianapolis Bar Foundation (inducted 2001)
Athletic Hall of Fame (1985 Soccer Team), Siena Heights University (inducted 2002)

Professional Memberships

American Association for Justice (Traumatic Brain Injury & Trucking Litigation Groups); Leaders Forum member; PAC contributor
Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys Roundtable
Executive Committee, Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association
Indiana Trial Lawyers Association (Sustaining Member; PAC contributor)
Indiana State Bar Association
Indianapolis Bar Association

Selected Lectures, Moderation & Publications

Representative speaking engagements and authored works (grouped by year). Click to expand.

2024

Moderator, “Sudden Medical Emergencies in Commercial Motor Vehicle Cases,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, National Webinar (Nov 2024)
Author & Lecturer, “Board Certification in Truck Accident Law – Overview…,” ATAA Annual Symposium, Nashville, TN (Sep 2024)
Lecturer, “10 Things You Should Do When Handling a Truck Crash Case,” Winning Truck Wreck Cases, Noblesville, IN (Aug 2024)
Moderator, “Jury Bias Litigation Group CLE Program,” AAJ Annual Convention, Nashville, TN (Jul 2024)
Moderator, “Human Factors in Trucking Litigation,” ATAA Advanced Program, Charlotte, NC (Mar 2024)
Presenter, “Trucking Litigation Current Trends and Best Practices,” NBI National Webinar (Jan 2024)

2023

Presenter, “So You Think You Know Trucking,” AAJ Trucking Litigation Group, Members-Only Seminar, West Palm Beach, FL (Dec 2023)
Moderator, “Putting Science to Work in Your Case,” ATAA Annual Symposium, Atlanta, GA (Sep 2023)
Moderator, “Freedom of Trial: Methods to Identify and Overcome Various Forms of Jury Bias,” AAJ Annual Convention, Philadelphia, PA (Jul 2023)
Presenter, “Learn the Lingo in Trucking,” ATAA National Webinar (Jul 2023)

2022

Moderator, “Your Fraudulent Transfer Act…,” ATAA National Webinar (Nov 2022)
Lecturer, “Venue Selection in a Commercial Motor Vehicle Crash Case,” AAJ Trial Advocacy College, Denver, CO (Nov 2022)
Moderator, “Commercial Driver Depositions—Recent Experiences and Approaches,” ATAA National Webinar (Sep 2022)
Lecturer, “Top 15 Mistakes Non-Trucking Attorneys Make in Semi-Crash Cases,” NJAJ Boardwalk Seminar, Atlantic City, NJ (Apr 2022)
Moderator, “Non-Emergency Transport Issues,” ATAA National Webinar (Mar 2022)
Lecturer, “Semi-Truck Wreck Cases: First Steps and Strategies,” Connectionology® National Webinar (Jan 2022)

2021

Lecturer, “Back to the Basics: Using the CDL Manual in Semi-Truck Crash Cases,” ATAA National Webinar (Oct 2021)
Lecturer, “Video Settlement Demands,” 73rd Melvin M. Belli Society Annual Seminar, Atlanta, GA (Oct 2021)
Author & Lecturer, “Video and Data Early in Semi-Truck Crash Cases,” ATAA Annual Symposium, Austin, TX (Sep 2021)
Author & Lecturer, “Truck Accident Law Board Certification,” ATAA Annual Symposium (Breakout), Austin, TX (Sep 2021)

2020

Lecturer, “What the Jury Must Hear in a Traumatic Brain Injury Case,” AAJ TBI Litigation Group, National Virtual Seminar (Jul 2020)
Lecturer, “What You Should Know and Do in Semi-Truck Crash Cases,” ITLA 32nd Lifetime Achievement Seminar, Indianapolis, IN (May 2020)
Lecturer, “Hours of Service: Basics, Tips and Tricks,” ATAA National Webinar (Jan 2020)
Author & Lecturer, “Cross-Examination of the Safety Director in Semi Crash Cases,” NJAJ Boardwalk Virtual Seminar (Aug 2020)
Moderator, “Advanced Issues in Traumatic Brain Injury,” ATAA Virtual Annual Symposium (Sep 2020)
Lecturer, “Board Certification Specifications and Information,” ATAA Virtual Annual Symposium (Sep 2020)
Author & Lecturer, “Effective Demand Packages: Best Practices,” ATAA Virtual Annual Symposium (Sep 2020)

2019

Author & Lecturer, “Drug and Alcohol Issues in Your Truck Crash Case,” ATAA Annual Symposium, Nashville, TN (2019)
Author & Lecturer, “Truck Accident Law Board Certification,” ATAA Annual Symposium (Breakout), Nashville, TN (2019)
Moderator, “How to Get Commercial Truck Driving Standards to Apply to Your Car Wreck Case,” ATAA National Webinar (Sep 2019)

2018

Moderator, “Maximizing Damages in Truck and Bus Cases,” ATAA National Webinar (Dec 2018)
Lecturer, “Damages Presentation Ideas for your TBI Client,” AAJ TBI Litigation Group, Washington, D.C. (Dec 2018)
Moderator, “Strategies for Trial by Deposition…,” ATAA National Webinar (Nov 2018)
Author & Lecturer, “Truck Driver Rules in Cases Involving Turns, Parking, and Route Planning,” ATAA Annual Symposium, Nashville, TN (2018)
Moderator, “Emergency Stops,” ATAA National Webinar (2018)
Author & Lecturer, “Life Care Plan Damages in the Traumatic Brain Injury Case,” AAJ TBI Litigation Group, Boston, MA (2017 presented/2018 listed)
Lecturer, “Proving Damages in a Traumatic Brain Injury Case,” ITLA 30th Annual Lifetime Achievement Seminar, Indianapolis, IN (2018)
Faculty, “AAJ Advanced Trial Advocacy College: Litigating Truck Collision Cases,” Scottsdale, AZ (2018)

2017

Author & Lecturer, “The Role of a Life Care Planner in a Traumatic Brain Injury Case,” AAJ TBI Litigation Group, Boston, MA (2017)
Author & Lecturer, “Is your Elderly Client Suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury or Dementia?”, ITLA 29th Annual Lifetime Achievement Seminar, Indianapolis, IN (2017)
Lecturer, “Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance Coverage – Advanced Issues,” NBI Auto Injuries: Advanced Plaintiff Strategies, Indianapolis, IN (2017)
Lecturer, “Internet and Social Media Resources for your Truck Crash Case,” ATAA National Webinar (2017)

2016

Author & Lecturer, “Overdriving the Headlights and Night Driving in Truck Crash Cases,” ATAA Annual Symposium, Nashville, TN (2016)
Author & Lecturer, “Federal and State Rules and Regulations in Trucking Cases,” NBI Advanced Trial Techniques, Indianapolis, IN (2016)
Lecturer, “Rules of the Road Strategies in a Big Truck Crash Case,” ITLA 28th Annual Lifetime Achievement Seminar, Indianapolis, IN (2016)

2015

Lecturer, “A Truck Case Walks in the Door,” AAJ Advanced Trial Advocacy College, Dallas, TX (2015)
Author & Lecturer, “The Latest Rules for Fatigue & Hours of Service,” AAJ Trucking Litigation Group, AAJ Annual Convention, Montreal, Canada (2015)
Author & Lecturer, “Responding to Social Media Discovery Requests,” ITLA 27th Annual Lifetime Achievement Seminar, Indianapolis, IN (2015)

2014

Lecturer, “Tractor-Trailer U-Turn Cases: Approaches, Tools and Techniques,” Spotlight on the Safety Director, Jacksonville, FL (2014)
Author & Lecturer, “Advising Your Clients About Their Social Media Involvement…,” 360 Advocacy, Auto Crash Litigation 3.0, Chicago, IL (2014)
Lecturer, “Hours of Service and Driver Fatigue,” Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association, Minneapolis, MN (2014)

2013

Author, “Liens in Auto Cases: Subrogation Liens in Detail,” NBI, Managing Liens and Subrogation in Auto Accident Litigation, Indianapolis, IN (2013)
Author, “Handling a Driver Fatigue Case,” Trial Magazine, Vol. 49, No. 2 – “Danger on the Road” (AAJ, Feb 2013)

2012

Author, “An Overview of the Current Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations,” in Truck Accident Litigation, 3rd Ed. (American Bar Association, 2012)
Chair/Moderator, AAJ Trucking Litigation Group Educational Seminar, AAJ Annual Convention, Chicago, IL (2012)
Author & Lecturer, “Issues and Strategies for Night Time Truck Crashes,” Kentucky Justice Association, Louisville, KY (2012)
Lecturer, “Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations in Big Truck Crash Cases,” ITLA 24th Annual Lifetime Achievement Seminar, Indianapolis, IN (2012)
Author & Lecturer, “Spoliation, Evidence Preservation, TROs, and Federal Court Removal in Interstate Trucking Cases,” NJAJ Boardwalk Seminar, Atlantic City, NJ (2012)
Author & Lecturer, “Presenting Damages and Expert Testimony at Trial,” NBI Advanced Trial Techniques, Indianapolis, IN (2012)
Author & Lecturer, “The Trucking Industry and the Law,” NBI Truck Accident Litigation from Start to Finish (2011 presented/2012 listed)
Author & Lecturer, “Initial Considerations for the Plaintiff in a Trucking Case,” NBI Truck Accident Litigation from Start to Finish (2011 presented/2012 listed)

2011

Lecturer, “Punitive Damages in Truck Cases,” AAJ Advanced Trial Advocacy College, Kansas City, MO (2011)
Panel Lecturer, “Rules in Truck Cases,” AAJ Advanced Trial Advocacy College, Kansas City, MO (2011)
Panel Lecturer, “Current Issues in Trucking Litigation,” AAJ Advanced Trial Advocacy College, Kansas City, MO (2011)
Author & Lecturer, “Building a Strong Foundation for Your Case,” NBI Sophisticated Tips & Strategies for Handling the Personal Injury Case, Indianapolis, IN (2011)
Author & Lecturer, “Understanding the Law of Damages,” NBI Sophisticated Tips & Strategies for Handling the Personal Injury Case, Indianapolis, IN (2011)

2010

Lecturer, “Stop Leaving Money on the Table: Confessions of a Former Defense Lawyer,” Michigan Association for Justice, Novi, MI (2010)
Author & Lecturer, “Interstate Trucking Cases: Equipment, Reconstruction, Spoliation, and TROs,” AAJ Litigating Truck Collision Cases, New Orleans, LA (2010)
Lecturer, “SOP of the Defense Trucking Attorney,” AAJ Interstate Trucking Litigation Group, New Orleans, LA (Winter 2010)

2009

Author & Lecturer, “Overdriving the Headlights and Night Time Driving Issues for Interstate Trucking Cases,” AAJ Annual Convention, San Francisco (2009)
Lecturer, “Night Driving Issues in Interstate Trucking,” Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (2009)
Author, “Tips for Handling a Tractor Trailer Inspection in a Truck Crash Case,” AAJ Interstate Trucking Litigation Group Newsletter (Fall 2009)
Author, “When Crafting Rules of the Road, Don’t Forget the CDL Manual,” AAJ Interstate Trucking Litigation Group Newsletter (Spring 2009)

2008

Chair/Moderator, AAJ Interstate Trucking Litigation Group Members-Only Seminar, Chicago, IL (Fall 2008)

2007

Lecturer, Insurance Coverage, IBA Bench-Bar Conference, Cincinnati, OH (2007)

2000

Moderator/Lecturer, “Pre-Suit Settlement Techniques,” IBA Bench-Bar Conference, Bloomington, IN (2000)

Location

Based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Indiana and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Daniel J. Buba

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