Unfortunately, I filed a default before submitting a statement of damages re: P.I. case

Yes, definitely. If this is a personal injury lawsuit, you the plaintiff need to first serve the statement of damages before seeking a default judgment. Statements of damages are used in personal injury and wrongful death cases in which plaintiff may not allege damages in the complaint. (Code Civ. Proc., § 425.11.) In seeking a default judgment in California, the relief sought must be within the amount of prayer of complaint. “It is fundamental to the concept of due process that a defendant be given notice of the existence of a lawsuit and notice of the specific relief which is sought in the complaint served upon him.” (Marriage of Lippel (1990) 51 Cal.3d 1160, 1166.)

Yes, as plaintiff needs to first serve the statement of damages before seeking a default judgment.

The plaintiff needs to first serve the statement of damages before seeking a default judgment.

Plaintiff needs to first serve the statement of damages before seeking a default judgment.

Yes. You must serve the Statement of Damages.

In California it is unlawful for an attorney to aid a non attorney in the practice of law. I have to assume you are a non attorney seeking aid in the practice of law.