The invention is directed to a method for absorbing energy in a motor vehicle seat in the case of a collision etc., and to an energy-absorption device for implementing said method.The method comprises the step of providing a removable deformation element in or at the vehicle seat, preferably in a space thereto provided in the fitting provided for inclining the backrest of the vehicle seat. The energy-absorption device implemented as the deformation element comprises at least one deformation portion which is deformable in a collision, thus absorbing energy.The invention is also directed to a fitting for inclining the backrest, the fitting having a space for mounting the deformation element.The invention is in especially provided to avoid in particular damages to the nape of the neck in the case of collisions from the rear. By use of a separate releasable deformation element certain information on the collision forces is made available, which facilitates deciding whether to replace or to re-use the vehicle seat.