I was at the end of a long ride saturday and hit a rock that I thought I would roll over but it stoped the quad and jammed the handlebars back on my left wrist. Would a steering dampner help this? Has anyone had this happen?

 

It would definitely have helped. You might have ended up with a bent tie-rod though...something has to give. Better your tie-rod than your wrist. I know someone who tore a rotator cuff (shoulder injury) the same way.