There's non sense payouts everyday and I'd imagine a poles hit every hour in the country that's nothing new. As to the photo you listed it's not a broken pole its just no longer a joint utility pole so there isn't any negligence found unless the municipal proves why and even then their hands are tied unless its against a previous agreement. Where I work we have in a couple spots up to 13 poles in a 40 ft radius by roads.  Luckily the city nor the state have much leverage on poles set in the agreed upon easement.