Last year I discovered a pretty significant "stabbing" or "poking" type of impact on the top front of my helmet. Kinda looks like it was hit by a bullet.
Not sure, but I think it was caused by a tree branch. Seems like it could have done some real damage to a bare mellon!
I find that wearing a helmet gives me an added sense of security to bomb through shit with fewer consequences...which isn't necessarily always a good thing.