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Attorney Daniel J. Buba

Daniel J. Buba

  • Attorney

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Practice Areas

  • Serious Personal Injury
  • Semi-Truck and Auto Accidents
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  • Wrongful Death
  • Nursing Home Injury/Death
Academy Of Truck Accident Attorneys

Biography

Daniel J. Buba is an Indianapolis-based trial lawyer who focuses his practice handling Semi-Truck Crash and Personal Injury cases. He has litigated and tried a variety of personal injury cases, including semi-truck collisions, automobile accidents, cases involving traumatic brain injuries, and nursing home negligence.

Dan has a unique perspective when he tries to maximize recovery for those wrongfully injured and killed: he understands the litigation battle from the defense side, having spent the first 12 years of his legal career defending insurance companies and large corporations in personal injury and wrongful death claims. Dan currently represents individuals who have been catastrophically injured and the families of those who have died in circumstances including semi-truck accidents, auto crashes, traumatic brain injury, and nursing home neglect/abuse.

He has maintained a practice in the Indianapolis area since 1994, and is active in the legal community on both the local and national level. Dan is a past Chairman of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group and serves on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. He is an Executive Member of the Board of Directors for the Brain Injury Association of Indiana and is a Past President of the Indianapolis Bar Association. Dan has authored numerous legal papers, and he lectures at local and national legal seminars, teaching lawyers about semi-truck accident and traumatic brain injury cases.

Legal Seminar Lectures and Papers

    • Moderator, “Putting Science to Work in your Trucking Case,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys Annual Symposium, 09/29/2023
    • Moderator, “Freedom of Trial: Methods to Identify and Overcome Various Forms of Jury Bias,” Advocacy Track Educational Seminar, AAJ Annual Convention, 07/16/2023
    • Lecturer, “World of Trucking Series: Learn the Lingo,” Academy of Truck Accidents, National Webinar, 07/05/2023
    • Moderator, “Your Fraudulent Transfer Act: Because Insurance Limits Don’t Determine Your Clients Settlement,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, National Webinar, 11/01/2022
    • Lecturer, “Venue Selection in a Commercial Motor Vehicle Crash Case,” American Association of Justice Trial Advocacy College: Litigating Truck Collision Cases, Denver, CO, 11/01/2022
    • Moderator, “Commercial Driver Depositions—Recent Experiences and Approaches,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, National Webinar, 09/01/2022
    • Lecturer, “Top 15 Mistakes Non-Trucking Attorneys Make in Semi-Crash Cases,” New Jersey Association of Justice, Boardwalk Seminar, Atlantic City, NJ, 04/01/2022
    • Moderator, “Non-Emergency Transport Issues,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, National Webinar, 03/01/2022
    • Lecturer, “Semi-Truck Wreck Cases: First Steps and Strategies,” Connectionology® National Webinar, 01/01/2022
    • Lecturer, “Back to the Basics: Using the CDL Manual in Semi-Truck Crash Cases,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, National Webinar, October 2021. 10/01/2022
    • Lecturer, “Video Settlement Demands,” 73rd Melvin M. Belli Society Annual Seminar, Atlanta, GA, 10/01/2021
    • Author and Lecturer, “Video and Data Early in Semi-Truck Crash Cases,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys Annual Symposium, Austin, TX, 09/01/2021
    • Author and Lecturer, “Truck Accident Law Board Certification,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys Annual Symposium (Breakout Session), Austin, TX, 09/01/2021
    • Author and Lecturer, “Truck Accident Law Board Certification,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys Annual Symposium (Breakout Session), Austin, TX, 09/01/2021
    • Lecturer, “What the Jury Must Hear in a Traumatic Brain Injury Case,” AAJ Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group Educational Seminar, AAJ Annual Convention, National Virtual Seminar, 07/01/2020
    • Lecturer, “What You Should Know and Do in Semi-Truck Crash Cases,” Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, 32nd Lifetime Achievement Seminar, Indianapolis, IN, 05/01/2020
    • Lecturer, “Hours of Service: Basics, Tips and Tricks,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, National Webinar, 01/01/2020
    • Author and Lecturer, “Cross-Examination of the Safety Director in Semi Crash Cases,” New Jersey Association of Justice, Boardwalk Virtual Seminar, 08/01/2020
    • Moderator, “Advanced Issues in Traumatic Brain Injury,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys Virtual Annual Symposium, 09/01/2020
    • Lecturer, “Breakout Session Presented by Board Certified Truck Accident Attorneys: Board Certification Specifications and Information,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys Virtual Annual Symposium, 09/01/2020
    • Author and Lecturer, “Effective Demand Packages: Best Practices,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys Virtual Annual Symposium, 09/01/2020
    • Author and Lecturer, “Drug and Alcohol Issues in Your Truck Crash Case,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys Annual Symposium, Nashville, TN, 2019
    • Author and Lecturer, “Truck Accident Law Board Certification,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys Annual Symposium (Breakout Session), Nashville, TN, 2019
    • Moderator, “How to Get Commercial Truck Driving Standards to Apply to Your Car Wreck Case,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, National Webinar, 09/01/2019
    • Moderator, “Maximizing Damages in Truck and Bus Cases,” Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, National Webinar, 12/01/2018
    • Lecturer, “Damages Presentation Ideas for your TBI Client,” AAJ Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, Members Only Seminar, Washington D.C. 12/01/2018
    • Author and Lecturer, “Issues and Strategies for Night Time Truck Crashes,” Kentucky Justice Association, Big Truck Seminar, 2012
    • Chapter Author, “An Overview of the Current Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations,” Truck Accident Litigation, 3rd Edition (American Bar Association 2012)
    • Lecturer, “Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations in Big Truck Crash Cases,” Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, 24th Annual Lifetime Achievement Seminar, Indianapolis, IN, 2012
    • Author and Lecturer, “Spoliation, Evidence Preservation, TROs, and Federal Court Removal in Interstate Trucking Cases,” New Jersey Association of Justice, Boardwalk Seminar, Atlantic City, NJ, 2012
    • Author and Lecturer, “Presenting Damages and Expert Testimony at Trial,” National Business Institute, Advanced Trial Techniques, Indianapolis, IN, 2012
    • Author and Lecturer, “The Trucking Industry and the Law,” National Business Institute, Truck Accident Litigation From Start to Finish Seminar, Indianapolis, IN, 2011
    • Author and Lecturer, “Initial Considerations for the Plaintiff in a Trucking Case,” National Business Institute, Truck Accident Litigation From Start to Finish Seminar, Indianapolis, IN, 2011
    • Lecturer, “Punitive Damages in Truck Cases,” AAJ Advanced Trial Advocacy College: Litigating Truck Collision Cases, Kansas City, MO, 2011
    • Panel Lecturer, “Rules in Truck Cases,” AAJ Advanced Trial Advocacy College: Litigating Truck Collision Cases, Kansas City, MO, 2011
    • Panel Lecturer, “Current Issues in Trucking Litigation,” AAJ Advanced Trial Advocacy College: Litigating Truck Collision Cases, Kansas City, MO, 2011
    • Author and Lecturer, “Building a Strong Foundation for Your Case,” National Business Institute, Sophisticated Tips and Strategies for Handling the Personal Injury Case Seminar, Indianapolis, IN, 2011
    • Author and Lecturer, “Understanding the Law of Damages,” National Business Institute, Sophisticated Tips and Strategies for Handling the Personal Injury Case Seminar, Indianapolis, IN, 2011
    • Lecturer, “Stop Leaving Money on the Table: Confessions of a Former Defense Lawyer”, Michigan Association of Justice, How to Settle Cases for More Money Seminar, 2010
    • Lecturer, Author, “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 Members Only Seminar, New Orleans, 2010
    • Lecturer, Author, “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, 2009
    • Author, “When Crafting Rules of the Road, Don’t Forget the CDL Manual”, AAJ Interstate Trucking Litigation Group Newsletter, 2009
    • Moderator, AAJ Interstate Trucking Litigation Group Members Only Seminar, Chicago, 2008
    • Lecturer, Insurance Coverage, IBA Bench Bar Conference, 2007
    • Moderator/Lecturer, Pre-Suit Settlement Techniques, IBA Bench Bar Conference, 2000
    • Moderator, “Commercial Driver Depositions-Recent Experiences and Approaches” , Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, National Webinar, – September 21, 2022

    Moderator, “Freedom of Trial: Methods to Identify and Overcome Various Forms of Jury Bias,” Advocacy Track Educational Seminar, AAJ Annual Convention, 07/16/2023

Education

  • Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, Illinois
    • J.D.
    • Honors: cum laude
  • Indiana University at Bloomington School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana
  • Siena Heights University, Adrian, Michigan
    • B.A.

Bar Admissions

  • Indiana, 1994
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1995
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 1994
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 1994

Professional Associations

  • Brain Injury Association of Indiana, Vice President, Treasurer, 2015 to Present
  • Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, Board of Regents, 2015 to Present
  • Brain Injury Association of Indiana, Board of Directors, 2014 to Present
  • Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, 2014 to Present
  • AAJ Trucking Litigation Group, Board of Directors, 2007 to Present
  • AAJ Trucking Litigation Group, Chair, 2012 to 2013
  • AAJ Trucking Litigation Group, Chair-Elect, 2011 to 2012
  • AAJ Trucking Litigation Group, Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association
  • AAJ Trucking Litigation Group, Executive Committee Member, 2012 to 2012
  • AAJ Interstate Trucking Litigation Group, Secretary, 2010 to 2011
  • AAJ Interstate Trucking Litigation Group, Treasurer, 2009 to 2010
  • Indianapolis Bar Association, Member, 2009 to 2009
  • Indianapolis Bar Association, Immediate Past President, 2009 to 2009
  • AAJ Interstate Trucking Litigation Group, Special Projects Chair, 2008 to 2008
  • AAJ Interstate Trucking Litigation Group, Co-Chair, Chicago Seminar, 2008 to 2008
  • Indianapolis Bar Association, President, 2008 to 2008
  • AAJ Interstate Trucking Litigation Group, Board of Directors, 2007 to 2007
  • Indianapolis Bar Association, President-Elect, 2007 to 2007
  • Indianapolis Bar Association, First Vice President, 2006 to 2006
  • Indianapolis Bar Association, Legislative Liaison Committee, 2006 to 2006
  • Indianapolis Bar Association, Secretary, 2005 to 2005
  • Indianapolis Bar Foundation, Grants Committee, Chair, 2005 to 2005
  • Indianapolis Bar Foundation, Board of Directors, 2004 to 2005
  • Indianapolis Bar Association, Lawyer Referral Service, Chair, 2003 to 2003
  • Indianapolis Bar Association, Board of Managers, 2002 to 2003
  • IBA Bench‑Bar Conference, Co-Chair, 2001 to 2001
  • Indianapolis Bar Association, Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America

Honors

  • Selected to Super Lawyers, Indiana Super Lawyer, 2010, 2011
  • Distinguished Fellow, Indianapolis Bar Foundation, 2001
  • Best Lawyers in America Selection, Personal Injury Litigation, Indianapolis.
  • Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee (Soccer), Siena Heights University
  • College of Fellows, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association