can't do without half or full-fingered gloves. forgot my half fingered gloves on a little 2 hr ride around metro san diego a few months back and the backs of my hands were
sunburned beyond belief. been using the chiba brand ones lately and love them. have some full-fingered pearl izumis that have lasted 3 seasons since i use them for maybe 35-40 rides a year.
never been in a crash that involved my hands all that much; it has always been the hips, knees and elbows but assuming the gloves would offer better protection than the rest
of the cycling clothing ensemble. main benefit for me (besides no hand sunburns) has always been the extra padding in the palm/thumb area.