You have the perfect excuse for vehicular homicide! How were you supposed to know they weren't working?
When soaking the brake fluid out of a reservoir, make sure to use as lint free of a cloth as is possible. If lint or debris gets into the brake system then brake problems can occur.
There is air in your brake system. Have it checked ASAP. You have a fluid leak somewhere.
A brake fluid leak in the brake system, LOW BRAKE FLUID.
NO, the problem needs to be properly repaired. its not like an oil or antifreeze leak. the basic principle of a brake system is the free movement of fluid through the brake lines. an additive to this system to "stop" a leak would ruin the whole system and be catastrophic to fix. brake leaks are generally an affordable fix.
The brake fluid is hydraulic fluid, transmitting the force from the master cylinder and servo, to the brake shoes or pads. If it leaks away, the brakes will not work. The leak MUST be identified and rectified, and the hydraulic system refilled and bled properly.
Leak in hydraulic system? Brake linings worn? Brake linings glazed?
There is either a leak still evident in the system or air in the system or the E-brake is on slightly.
if brake pedal is soft , either there is air in the system ,a brake fluid leak, or brake linings and pads are worn allowing the pedal to travel to far if there is a fluid leak, this can usually be found by getting under vehicle and looking at inside of wheels for brake fluid
Is the brake system low on fluid? If it is, there may be a wheel cylinder leaking.
There is either a leak still evident in the system or air in the system or the E-brake is on slightly.
You could have a leak in your power brake system.
Parking brake not fully released? Worn brake linings? Brake fluid in reservoir low (mabe a leak in system)? Bad sensor?