While details of the accident haven’t been released, it has been reported that Tate suffered a broken jaw and facial lacerations. Tate’s face bore the brunt of the accident, but fortunately he was protected from head injuries because he wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

A high school center fielder from Cartersville, Georgia, Tate signed with the Padres on August 17 and received a $6.5 million bonus, the largest signing bonus in franchise history. He is 18 years old.

Tate, who has not played a game with the Padres yet, had been in recovery and rehabilitation after having surgery on a sports-related hernia in October. Following his ATV accident, surgeons reportedly inserted steel plate in Tate’s mouth and wired his jaw shut.

Despite all of his injuries, the Padres say that Tate will be ready for spring training. The team is likely to have had some practice in thinking positively, since 8 of their 10 top draft picks, including Tate, have suffered from injuries or had personal problems soon after the draft.

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission estimates 150,900 ATV-related injuries treated in emergency rooms nationwide will be recorded for the statistical year 2007 – nearly double the number of injuries reported 10 years ago. Despite occasional drops in the number of reported ATV-related injures and deaths from year to year, the overall trend since 1988 has been upward.

SOURCE: Yamaha Rhino Rollover › Top MLB draft pick Tate injured in ATV crash

According to BRP, an electrical short circuit may occur, causing the vehicle to suddenly steer left on its own and in some situations a total loss of control can occur.

The CPSC urges owners of the recalled ATVs to stop using the vehicles and contact any Can-Am dealer to schedule a free repair. BRP is mailing a direct notice to all known owners of the vehicles. Consumers may contact BRP directly by calling toll-free (888) 638-5397 between 8 a.m. and 6. p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday, or by visiting the company’s website.

BRP says that customers who wish to use their ATVs before the repairs can be made should disable the DPS by removing its electrical fuse. Instructions on how to remove the DPS fuse are included in the recall letter BRP mailed to consumers. Consumers may also take their vehicles to an authorized dealer to have the fuse removed until permanent repairs are made.

The ATVs were manufactured in Mexico and sold by authorized Can-Am dealers across the country from August 2009 through November 2009. Average retail price for the vehicles was between $6,800 and $13,500.

Specific models included in the recall are listed in the table below:

SOURCE: Yamaha Rhino Rollover › 2,400 ATVs recalled over potential for steering loss

The accident occurred at West Florida Motocross Park in the northern section of Walton County. The racing park normally holds up to 6 ATV races a year, drawing participants and spectators from across the South, the park’s co-owner Krystal King told the Walton Sun.

According to King, Pierce was the first fatality at the park since she and her husband purchased it about a year ago.

Witnesses said that Pierce’s ATV went airborne after topping a hill on the course, propelling the boy forward over the handlebars. After Pierce hit the ground, the vehicle crashed on top of him, splitting his helmet in half. Emergency medical workers flew the boy to North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview, Florida, where he died just after 1:30 p.m.

WMBB in nearby Panama City said that the accident “leaves some parents with questions about ATVs,” especially in the holiday season when many children receive ATVs as Christmas gifts.

State laws may govern what ATVs children may legally ride and where there they can ride them. After that, staying safe is mostly a matter of following safety procedures.

King told the Walton Sun that all drivers at West Florida Motocross Park must wear helmets, boots, long-sleeve shirts, and long pants. Chest protectors, knee pads, and neck braces are optional gear that many people choose to wear.

“Even with the gear it can be very dangerous,” King told the Walton Sun.

The past few days have been particularly deadly for children driving or riding on ATVs. Last weekend, ATV accidents and rollovers claimed the lives of a 5-year-old in South Carolina, a 15-year-old girl in North Carolina, and a 3-year-old boy central Wisconsin.

SOURCE: Yamaha Rhino Rollover › Mississippi teen dies in Florida ATV accident