Originally Posted by billh
I'm sympathetic, but I think this is called "leaving the scene of the accident". Unfortunately, I think you were at fault. I've started waiting in line a lot more these days.
I think legally it works both ways. I believe in the eyes of the law I would have been judged to be passing recklessly, even if it is permitted for cyclists to pass on the right coming up to a light (not sure if it is or not). However, I am certain that a driver letting off passengers has to signal and pull into the curb to do so. I talked to a friend of mine that was involved in a nearly identical scenario a couple of years ago, only his bike got wrecked, and the car was an S class Mercedes (what is it with these luxury car drivers anyway?). Apparently the police officer sided with the cyclist (my God, did I just write that??) and the guy had to pay for the damage to his bike-and his insurance deductable for the door.
You are right, I did leave the scene, as well.