Guam Answer and Defenses — Motor VehiclAccidenten— - Long In a motor vehicle accident case in Guam, the defendant can file an answer and present various defenses to protect their rights and challenge the plaintiff's allegations. Here is a detailed description of what Guam Answer and Defenses — Motor VehiclAccidenten— - Long entail: 1. Answer: The answer is a legal document filed by the defendant in response to the plaintiff's complaint. In this document, the defendant acknowledges or denies the allegations made by the plaintiff. It is essential for the defendant to respond within the specified timeframe to avoid default judgment. 2. Affirmative Defense: An affirmative defense allows the defendant to present additional facts or legal arguments that, if proven true, would prevent the plaintiff from winning the case. Some common affirmative defenses in motor vehicle accident cases include contributory or comparative negligence, assumption of risk, statute of limitations, lack of proximate cause, and sudden emergency. 3. Comparative Negligence: This defense asserts that the plaintiff's own negligence contributed to the accident and resulting injuries. Guam follows the comparative negligence doctrine, which means that the plaintiff's compensation may be reduced based on their percentage of fault in causing the accident. 4. Contributory Negligence: This defense is applicable when the plaintiff's own negligence played a significant role in causing the accident. If the defendant can prove that the plaintiff's negligence was the sole cause of the accident, they may not be held liable for damages. 5. Statute of Limitations: The defendant may raise the defense of statute of limitations if the plaintiff fails to file the lawsuit within the specified time limit. In Guam, the statute of limitations for filing a motor vehicle accident claim is generally two years from the date of the accident. 6. Lack of Proximate Cause: The defendant can argue that their actions or negligence did not directly cause the plaintiff's injuries or damages. Proximate cause refers to an action or event that set off a sequence of events leading to the accident or injury. If the defendant can demonstrate that their actions were not the proximate cause, they may avoid liability. 7. Sudden Emergency: This defense applies when the defendant acted reasonably in response to an unforeseen or sudden emergency situation, which resulted in the accident. It asserts that the defendant's actions should be excused due to the unexpected circumstances they faced. It is important to note that the availability and viability of these defenses may vary depending on the specific details and circumstances of each case. Seeking guidance from an experienced attorney is crucial for defendants involved in a motor vehicle accident lawsuit in Guam to ensure proper representation and a strong defense strategy.