Brent, I just looked at the video again. Are you sure you meant the A pillar? From the angles I could see, if he was blocked by the A pillar he was already there. Did you mean the B pillar (between the front and rear seats)? I could understand this.
With the wide angle lens, it's difficult for me to see if the intersection is a T or a Y type. It looked more like a Y intersection with the narrow angle to your left. This would make an A pillar blind spot only applicable for a pedestrian crossing the street from the opposite direction.
Also, I have learned to never trust drivers to not change lanes in an intersection. Even drivers approaching from the left planning to turn right, I wait until they are actually turning before I start. And Chase, I've been in S Ca as well, and you're right, drivers are crazy. But drivers are just as nuts up here in BC.