My question involves court procedures for the state of: California.
I am a defendant in an unlimited civil case for personal injury. The plaintiff is in the process of filing a Default because I did not file an answer within the allotted time. The reason for not filing an answer is because I was not properly served. I received the summons, but I have never signed any papers acknowledging I have been served.
The judge said, since I did not file an answer, I would have to contest the service. I've no clue how to do that; specifically if there is a form to do this with.
Is there anything I can do to prevent the court from awarding the case to the plaintiff by default? Will filing an answer now benefit me, or am I just wasting money by filing it? If I lose, will the amount awarded be determined by the court or will the plaintiffs automatically win what they are asking for?
Please let me know if there is any other information I should include.

