I bet the passenger didn't look in your direction, so no light would have improved your chances. The bike lane is not safe if it is in the door zone, so even though it is a bike lane, don't ride in it. Yes, I'm telling you not to use a bike lane. Don't ride so close to cars.

Cygolite and other brands have a "steady flash" mode, which sounds like a contradiction. The light stays on so you can see by it at night, and it adds a high intensity flash every second or so. I notice these from farther off than other types of lights, so to the extent that a light makes you visible, this seems like a good option. Cygolite products are good.

Dooring is seriously dangerous. Recently, people have died from being doored. Don't let it happen to you. Don't be afraid of being hit from behind. That's not common. Recently in NYC, someone was doored, and his body was tossed into the next lane, right in front of a truck, and the truck killed him.