1994 Honda Accord

I WAS DRIVING LOCALLY APPLYING THE BRAKE WHEN THE PEDAL WENT DOWN NEARLY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY. THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED JUST AFT OF THE GAS TANK WHERE IT PASSES TRANSVERSELY OVER THE FRAME TO THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL. THE LINE FORE AND AFT IS COATED BUT THIS SECTION IS NOT AND HAD CORRODED. THE CONDITION OF THE BRAKE LINE AT THIS POINT IS NOT VISIBLE TO INSPECTION WHEN THE CAR IS ON A HOIST. *TR

I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, STARTING TO GRADUALLY APPLY BRAKES MORE THAN 200 FEET AWAY FROM THE INTERSECTION. THERE'S ONLY ONE CAR IN FRONT OF ME; IT ALREADY STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE INTERSECTION. WHEN MY CAR WAS ABOUT 15 FEET AWAY FROM THE FRONT CAR, I FELT A SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, AND WOULD HAVE A DIRECT COLLISION WITH THE FRONT CAR. I IMMEDIATELY MADE A SHARP LEFT TURN. MY CAR'S RIGHT FRONT LIGHT AREA HIT THE FRONT CAR'S LEFT REAR BUMPER. MY CAR CONTINUED MOVING, AND FINALLY STOPPED ON THE CURB/GRASS BY THE SIDE OF THE INTERSECTION. LATER THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER CONFIRMED THAT MY CAR HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL, WHICH WAS ALSO LATER CONFIRMED BY PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, WE (MY GIRLFRIEND AND I) HAD THE CAR FOR 7 YEARS. WE HAD NEVER HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE TOWARD THE END OF A 250-MILE ROUND TRIP HIGH WAY DRIVING. I DIDN'T FEEL ANY BRAKE PROBLEM DURING THE DRIVING BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. *TR