Need Help with court?

the situation is that myself and fiance used to own a pizza place we rented a building and had a small grease fryer which burnt the landlord's fryer, our insurance company paid the landlord $4,000 for damages but he would not fix the ansul system so we had no choice but to vacate the premises now he is trying to sue us for the years rent, which is wrong because when we took that building he told us not to get fire insurance that he was already covered. I talked to his insurance company after the fire and they agreed that he was covered. we have since closed the business for good and are both working, but we cannot afford a lawyer right now, and we are representing ourselves, but we don't know anything about the court system. we are really trying, and was just wondering if anyone had any advice. I know we are right in this case and that is why I don't want to settle because I know we can win this, but without a lawyer it's hard. I broke down at the prelim. onference please help!