Is a child safer in a rear or forward facing seat if we are rear-ended?

Despite some concerns, rear-facing car seats provide substantial protection even in rear-end collisions, which only account for a small fraction of severe and fatal crashes. 

Rear-facing seats provide superior protection in the most common and severe crash types, including frontal, side, and offset impacts. Even in the case of a rear-end collision, rear-facing children are not at a disadvantage.

The nature of rear-end crashes typically results in less intense crash forces. These collisions are especially common in urban settings with dense traffic and frequent stops, usually occur at lower speeds and are less likely to be severe. In fact, frontal and side impacts are far more common and typically more severe.  The dynamics of the majority of rear-end impacts do not pose the same level of threat as those from frontal or side impacts.

The design and positioning of rear-facing seats provide robust protection, making them the safer option for nearly all vehicular crashes.