Brakes anybody?

Out for a drive in my nice 1990 Toyota Corolla base model teh other day, when in the rain, I managed to rear-end someone while doing about 20 km/h. little damage to other car, front end of mine banged up. however...
as I was trying to avoid the crash, I stood on my brake pedal. An instant before I hit the other car, it felt like my brakes just gave up. at the time, due to the wet conditions, I assumed the brakes locked. However, on the way home I noticed I could push the pedal all the way to the floor with little resistence and no braking effect. Brakes pretty much didn't work. Got home, checked brake fluid reservoir, was draining rapidly.

I know I have a leak, but where? Was it from standing on the pedal or could a collision at slow speeds screw up my brakes? did some connection just pop off, or do you think the line is broken?

had a busted fuel line repaired this summer, so I know how expensive it is to work on brake/fuel lines in Corollas. Anyone care to give me reason for optimism about the cost of getting my brakes working.
Also, if it helps, my emergency brake light is on, even though the e-brake is not engaged. the light will not go off.
thanks
gfidsens

This is a pet peeve of mine. There's no such thing as an "emergency brake light"
It's your brake light. It comes on if your e-brake is on too, but mainly it's there
to tell you something it wrong with your brakes. Namely, your low on brake fluid.
Or the master cylinder is shot, or a host of other problems. I don't know how many
times this has come up, both in forums and in real life, but it's a lot.

First, take all your tires out. Check the brake lines, specially the flex hose. Any cracking or chipping of it is an indication for you to replace them. There is no way the hard/tubings will give out unless something on the road hit it. I'm pretty sure it's not your brake lines, at least it doesnt sound that way from what you are describing. It sounds like you master cylinder went out. The seal inside the cylinder may be leaking. Check below the gas/pedal assembly if the fluid is leaking there. (wet carpet) (not good for paint too, will eat it up....the brake fluid will)
If not, depending on how long it has been that, it may be leaking inside your brake booster. If that's the case, it will eat up the rubber parts inside and it will cost you a lot more in repairs and parts. If you have any other question, I would be more than happy to assist. Hopefully I will have the answer you are looking for. E-mail at [email protected].....