Originally Posted by
Tober1
When your light is green you ARE allowed to cross the intersection. The turning car should stop if there is a pedestrian or cyclist crossing the street. Where is the 'opposing' traffic you're referring too? If you re-read the OP you'll see he had a green to cross the intersection and the driver turned left and saw there was someone crossing so he had to stop in oncoming traffic. THAT'S a screw up if you ask me.
I am never first to assume cyclists are always right. Quite the opposite. This could have been avoided if the OP just slowed down when going through the intersection and let the turner finish, but as the driver it's your responsibility to make sure the intersection is clear of pedestrians/cyclists.
To further clarify, the left turner could have just completed the turn, I saw her coming from the side of my eye (remember, the left turner was to my right-rear), and I slowed down, but the left turner I guess was surprised to see me and wasn't sure if I would proceed or not. That hesitation caused the accident.
But mulveyr probably has a point, I need to double and triple check for people trying to left turn even after the left turn light switch off. Problem at that intersection is that you have then all the right turners (from the opposite direction) getting ready to turn and they may or may not yield.