yes
Sure, as long as you don't import your previous file
You won't be able to import your save game from ME1.
You can scan planets and build relationships with the characters. You can also import the save game into Mass Effect 3, or import it into Mass Effect 2 so you start at the same level as when you finished the game. Other bonuses are included if you choose that option.
All Mass Effect games work from each others save game files, although you can only import a saved ME character or game to ME2 and then import a saved ME2 character or game to ME3. The same would most likely apply to future ME games.
It will ask you when you start a new character if you would like to import an ME1 character. You then select the storage location of that character (removable storage, HDD, etc) and select which character you would like to import.
If you don't import a save game from Mass Effect, you will automatically choose the character of the opposite gender to survive. If you play Mass Effect first, though, you can choose if you want Ashley or Kaidan to survive. So to play Mass Effect 2 as a female and with Ashley alive, you would have to play Mass Effect and let Kaidan die on Virmire.
There is an online Mass Effect Wiki that contains the full list of planets and their contents.
If he died in Mass Effect 1 then he is not in Mass Effect 2. If he survived Mass Effect 1 he shows up in Mass Effect 2 but he can not be killed.
If by not importing correctly you mean that your Shepard's face is not what it was from Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2? This issue is encountered with people who attempt to import a Shepard that they have played through both of the first games with. The reason for this error is that because Mass Effect did not use the same coding system that Mass Effect 2 & 3 use, the game is unable to generate an accurate render of the imported Shepard's face, often resulting in a Shepard of completely different appearance.
Yes, there will be a Mass effect 3. even if your Shepard died, there will be a mass effect 3.
If you import save data from Mass Effect 1, then whichever character lived through the first game will be in ME2. If you don't import save data and don't use Genesis, Kaiden will be in the game, but Ashley won't.
mass effect 2 will be