Using French national police crash data and Rhône trauma registry between 1996 and 2006, this study shows that among belted occupants, the number of fatally injured rear passengers is the highest in frontal impact, while the proportion of fatalities is the highest in near side impact, followed by rear impact. This study confirms that improvements in car occupant protection have been focused on front occupants, while less was done for rear passenger protection. This study also suggests that the risk of sustaining a moderate or severe abdomen injury is higher for rear passengers compared to front occupants.